Lumenis Optilight: Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
Dry eye disease is becoming increasingly common, affecting millions of people worldwide. This chronic condition can significantly impact your life, sometimes making even the smallest of tasks seem difficult.
If you have eye pain, blurry vision, and dry or watery eyes, it could be a sign that you have dry eye disease. But don’t worry! With an in-depth eye exam, our team can assess your vision and eye health to get you the treatment you need.
With treatments like OptiLight by Lumenis, we can help manage your dry eye symptoms and get you back to seeing clearly and comfortably. Keep reading to learn more about OptiLight by Lumenis and how it can improve your life.
Am I a Good Candidate for OptiLight by Lumenis?
How do you know if OptiLight is the right treatment for you? During an eye exam, your doctor can determine whether or not it is the right option for you. In general, OptiLight isn’t recommended for patients who:
- Are taking certain medications, like Accutane
- Have active acne
- Suffer from certain skin disorders
- Are susceptible to keloid scarring
- Have severe scarring
- Have severely sunburned recently
Lumenis Optilight IPL Treatment
This treatment is fast and simple, taking only 10–15 minutes. During your treatment your doctor will apply a cool gel on the treatment area and cover your eyes with shields to protect them.
As light is applied to the skin, you may experience a warm or a tapping sensation, but you shouldn’t feel any pain.
treating both chronic dry eye syndrome and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
After administering Optilight IPL, Dr. Paul Ives, Dr. Alexa Ives, and Dr. Tessa Ives will express oil from the glands, which will restore normal oil flow in the tear film. Though patients usually notice an improvement in dry eye symptoms following their first or second treatment, it is generally recommended they undergo monthly Optilight IPL treatments over a period of 4 months.
This ensures long-term success in treating both chronic dry eye syndrome and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
A Bright Solution for Dry Eyes is Here!
Lumenis Optilight IPL is the dry eye treatment you’ve been waiting for
Innovative light therapy for brighter results
Targets multiple key contributors of dry eyes for lasting results
Finally reduces your dependency on eye drops
Developed with safety in mind, for your peace of mind
After Lumenis Optilight IPL Treatment
While side effects are uncommon, your eyes may feel slightly more dry or gritty for the day following your procedure. If you do experience dry eyes, you can use preservative-free artificial tears.
Following your treatment, your skin will be sensitive, so we recommend avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen.
Find Relief Today
You don’t have to live with the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye disease. With OptiLight by Lumenis, your symptoms can be managed effectively and efficiently, restoring your quality of life.
Our team is always here to help you find relief from dry eyes. Book an appointment today to see how OptiLight by Lumenis can help you!
What Is OptiLight by Lumenis?
OptiLight by Lumenis is a safe, gentle, and effective treatment done to manage dry eye disease. This non-invasive procedure is the first and only FDA-approved intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment for dry eye management.
OptiLight uses pulses of light precisely administered in the area below the eyes to reduce dry eye symptoms. This 10-15 minute procedure can relieve dry eye symptoms by:
- Increasing tear break-up time
- Reducing the amount of demodex mites and bacteria around your eyes
- Decreasing inflammation inflammation
- Improving meibomian gland functionality
What can I expect from the OptiLight treatment?
If your eye doctor has recommended the OptiLight treatment, they will go over everything you can expect before, during, and after your appointment.
Preparing for Your Appointment
To prepare for your appointment you should avoid:
- Using skin brightening agents or serums for the week before your appointment
- Using tanning beds 1 month prior to your appointment
- Getting botox for at least 3 months before your appointment
- Taking oral isotretinoin, tetracycline, or doxycycline in the 3 months prior to your appointment
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease is a common eye condition that occurs when there is an issue with any one of the three components of your tears.
Your tears are made up of 3 distinct layers, all of which work together to keep your eyes healthy:
- The oily layer prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly
- The watery layer delivers nutrients to your eyes
- The mucus layer keeps your tear film stuck to the surface of your eyes
What are the 2 Types of Dry Eye Disease?
There are two types of dry eye disease.
Evaporative Dry Eye (EDE)
EDE is the most common type of dry eye disease. This type of dry eye occurs when you lack the proper amount of oil in your tears. When this happens, your tears can evaporate too quickly, drying out your eyes. In some cases, EDE can be caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, a disorder where the meibomian glands in your eyes become blocked, limiting the amount of oil being produced for your tears.
Aqueous Tear Deficiency (ATD)
If you suffer from ATD, your eyes lack the aqueous layer in your tears. This means that your eyes aren’t producing enough tears to keep the eye moist, which can lead to irritating and uncomfortable symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease?
If you are suffering from dry eye disease, you may notice any of the following symptoms:
- A burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Irritated or overly-watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light or photophobia
- Eye redness, blurred vision, or eye fatigue
- A sensation of having something in your eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your eye doctor to receive a dry eye disease diagnosis and get the treatment you need.
FAQs
What is OptiLight?
OptiLight is a light-based treatment that uses precise, intense broad spectrum light to address dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is the most common cause of dry eye disease, accounting for about 86% of cases. The treatment addresses inflammation, which is one of the key underlying factors in MGD. OptiLight was specifically developed to reach the delicate contours of the treated area safely, effectively and gently using the OPT™ technology.
What is the OPT™ technology?
Lumenis’ patented technology OPT™ (Optimal Pulse Technology) transforms the use of light and allows targeted, uniform, precise, and controlled treatment. Specifically designed for the delicate area below the eye, OPT™ safely and effectively breaks the vicious cycle of inflammation associated with dry eye.
How does OptiLight work?
OptiLight is a multi-factorial treatment for a multi-factorial disease. It addresses the disease by reducing major sources of inflammation leading to dry eye disease such as abnormal blood vessels, Demodex mites, and pro-inflammatory agents. OptiLight restors the function of meibomian glands and delays evaporation of the tear film.
What does treatment with OptiLight involve?
Treatment protocol typically consists of 4 sessions, at 2 to 4 weeks apart:
- During treatment, your practitioner will cover your eyes with shields and apply a thin layer of coupling gel on the treatment area.
- During treatment, light is applied on the skin below the eyes, most patients report minimal discomfort.
- OptiLight is followed by meibomian gland expression.
- Each session takes only 10-15 minutes. There is no downtime, you can resume your daily activities immediately.
When should I expect an improvement?
Patients typically report improvement after 2 to 3 treatments. For optimal results, 4 sessions are advised. To ensure long-term results, a maintenance session is recommended every 6-12 months.
What should I expect after treatment?
You may experience some redness immediately following treatment. This will usually disappear within a few hours. You can return to your daily activities and apply makeup straight away in most cases. You will be advised to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days and to apply sunscreen.
If you have tried various treatments and still struggle with unpleasant dry eye symptoms, we can help. Contact Ives Eyecare Center today.
Our practice serves patients from Murrysville, West Newton, Delmont, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and surrounding communities.
