IPL Treatment Therapy is commonly used by cosmetic and medical practitioners to treat skin-related issues for therapeutic and aesthetic purposes. Some of these dermatological issues include sun damage, acne scarring, hair removal, thread veins, and rosacea. Recently IPL is increasingly being used in optometry and ophthalmology to treat chronic dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
With IPL treatment for dry eye, pulses of light are used to liquefy the abnormal viscous meibum and release hardened oils that have clogged meibomian glands in the eyelids. Meibomian glands, also called tarsal glands, are at the rim of the eyelids inside the tarsal plate. These glands are responsible for the supply of meibum, and are made up of an oily substance that prevents evaporation of the eye’s tear film. Vascularization and inflammation of the eyelids is also affected with IPL treatment, reducing eyelid redness, stimulating healthy gland function, and decreasing bacterial growth.
During the procedure, a strategic level of light pulses is administered to penetrate the skin under the eye and targets the root cause of the inflammation. As the IPL treatment treats your overall skin appearance, your eyelid inflammation is treated and improved as well.
Your initial treatment is designed to help with long-term success in treating both chronic dry eye disease and the root cause of dry eye disease, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. After receiving their first or second IPL treatment, most people will notice improvement in their dry eye symptoms. However, your doctor may recommend an initial series of four IPL treatments, performed once a month over the course of four months.
Depending on the severity of your condition, most people will need only occasional maintenance treatments. Your doctor may also recommend combining IPL treatments with other dry eye therapies such as punctal plugs, or medications to maximize effectiveness and enhance symptom relief.
Most dry eye treatments – such as artificial tears, hot compresses, and eyelid scrubs – focus on temporarily relieving symptoms instead of on treating the cause of the condition. IPL therapy is designed to address the root cause of chronic dry eye which is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. In addition IPL treatment therapy not only helps to relieve dry eye symptoms, but it also slows the progression of dry eye condition.
If you suffer from chronic dry eye disease and have tried various forms of treatment, with little or no relief, call us and schedule an eye examination to see if you’re a candidate for Intense Pulse Light Therapy Treatment.
To read more about the IPL Treatment procedure for Dry Eye go here.
