Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a form of light therapy traditionally used in cosmetic and dermatology practices for specific skin conditions that now has exciting new practical applications in ophthalmology for the treatment of chronic dry eyes through Meibomian gland stimulation to increase eye lubrication.
An IPL eye treatment is a quick and comfortable non-invasive procedure using pulses of intense light therapy at specific wavelengths that is often combined with a gentle Meibomian gland expression to clear out the glands and accelerate the healing process.
Is an IPL Eye Treatment Safe?
An IPL eye treatment is very safe and comfortable, FDA approved, and painless procedure often referred to as a “lunch treatment” as it rarely lasts longer than 15 minutes and many patients are able to resume their daily activities. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may experience some minor irritation, discomfort, and redness in the area that usually disappears within a few hours, and the doctors typically recommend that you use sunblock for a few days on any treated areas that may be exposed to the sun.
How does the IPL Eye Treatment Work?
With your eyes cleansed and shielded, a cooling gel is applied to the eye area and a hand-held, computer-controlled device then applies strategic bursts of intense, broad spectrum wavelengths to the skin under the eye to target the root cause of the dry eyes and inflammation.
Not only does this generally improve the skin appearance beneath your eyes, the warm, healing light helps to reduce inflammation beneath the skin, and acts to soothe and loosen any obstructions to the Meibomian glands that are blocking the proper flow of lubricating tears.
How Many IPL Eye Treatments Does It Take?
This depends on the patient and severity of the condition but for optimal results, five sessions are typical, with approximately three weeks to one month between treatments. Most patients report noticeable improvements in their symptoms after the very first treatment, and maintenance treatments every six months to one year are generally recommended for the best long term benefits.
Who Needs an IPL Eye Treatment?
An IPL Eye Treatment is for patients suffering from dry eye disease, eyelid inflammation, and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). Millions of Americans suffer from dry, red, tired, or burning eyes caused by skin and eyelid inflammation or ocular conditions related to dry eye. If you have moderate to severe dry eye, suffer from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or Blepharitis, experience problematic eyelid inflammation, or consult an ophthalmologist near you who recommends an IPL eye treatment, then you may be the right candidate for an IPL treatment. Talk to an eye specialist at FLEI for more information or to discuss whether an IPL eye treatment is right for you.
