IPL Therapy For Dry Eyes – A Comprehensive Overview
If you suffer from dry eye syndrome, you most likely prioritize finding relief from your symptoms. However, methods such as artificial tears, warm compresses, and eyelid scrubs may only provide temporary relief and do not address the root cause of your discomfort.
IPL therapy addresses this problem by rejuvenating the crucial oil glands and reducing tear evaporation. This treatment has shown promising results in objective and subjective measures such as TBUT and Schirmer test.
What is IPL Therapy?
IPL is a treatment that uses a broad spectrum of light to minimize the appearance of age spots, sun damage, freckles, and unwanted hair. It is also helpful in reducing redness and broken blood vessels.
During an IPL session, your skin care specialist will rub gel on the area to be treated before using a handheld device to apply light pulses. The treatment may sting, and some patients have described the sensation as similar to being snapped by an elastic band. Those with lower pain tolerance should talk with their dermatologist about numbing creams.
IPL therapy for dry eye Halifax can help reduce the appearance of broken blood vessels, redness, and enlarged pores. It can also help even out your skin tone and remove excess hair.
How Does IPL Work?
IPL delivers quick and powerful pulses of light energy into the skin. The light is absorbed by specific pigmented cells called chromophores. This process converts light energy into heat, which destroys unwanted pigment and blemishes like freckles or age spots.
This treatment also stimulates the Meibomian glands to produce healthy oils that lubricate and moisturize your eyes. It’s one of the few treatments that address the underlying cause of MGD, which is when your Meibomian glands are not functioning correctly due to blockage or inflammation.
The procedure is non-invasive, and patients typically only experience minor discomfort. Many people compare it to getting snapped with a rubber band, although some estheticians use numbing cream to make the process even more comfortable.
What Are the Side Effects of IPL Therapy?
After an IPL session, you may experience a stinging sensation for 4 to 8 hours. A cool compress or moisturizer can help alleviate the stinging. Some people also experience a red or pink appearance.
The medical procedure involves using a handheld device that emits light waves, which generally does not cause any pain. Although some individuals may experience a slight sensation that is similar to a rubber band snapping against their skin, it is minimal and not uncomfortable. The treatment takes about 30 minutes, making it efficient and effective.
IPL therapy works by releasing the oil in your tears, helping you see and feel better. It is best used when you have tried other treatments, such as prescription eye drops. Combining IPL and meibomian gland expression can significantly improve dry eye symptoms. It is important to note that IPL does not cure dry eye.
How Long Will IPL Therapy Take?
Unlike other dry eye treatments that alleviate symptoms, IPL Therapy treats the root cause of your evaporative dry eye by improving the function of your meibomian glands. Typically, three to four IPL treatment sessions spaced two weeks apart will enhance the quality of the tear and regain the function of your meibomian oil glands.
IPL is a safe and effective procedure for most people. It is not harmful to the eyes or other body tissues because it only affects the blood vessels that cause redness (such as in rosacea). The light energy heats the blood vessel, causing it to thicken and microscopically eliminate the abnormal tiny blood vessel. This reduces inflammation by eliminating a significant reservoir of inflammatory mediators around the meibomian glands and eyelid margins.
Will IPL Therapy Help Me?
IPL therapy is a more effective treatment for dry eye syndrome as it targets the underlying cause, unlike artificial tears, warm compresses, and eyelid scrubs that only temporarily relieve symptoms.
When the meibomian glands become blocked, the ocular surface can no longer produce oil to create a healthy tear film. IPL stimulates and restores healthy gland function while reducing inflammation and slowing the progression of chronic dry eye.
IPL also treats the underlying cause of blepharitis and ocular rosacea by targeting the inflammatory pathways that lead to the formation of telangiectasia and reduced bacterial overgrowth. IPL reduces telangiectasia by targeting the blood vessels that feed them and reduces inflammation and ocular surface irritation by downregulating inflammatory cytokines.
