IPL
san jose dry eye treatment
OptiLight IPL by Lumenis in the Bay Area, CA
Dry eye disease is a common and chronic condition that affects up to 49 million Americans. This is the first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.
If left untreated, dry eye disease can have potentially serious consequences such as pain, discomfort, blurry vision, and other problems. Dry eye disease can even damage to the surface of your eyes over time, making it incredibly important to find and treat as early as possible.
20/20 Optometry offers OptiLight IPL by Lumenis as well as a wide variety of other treatment options to suit your specific condition(s). Whether it’s intense pulsed light (IPL), Miboflo, Lipiflow, at-home treatments, or recommendations for diet and lifestyle adjustments, we’re dedicated to solving your dry eye and providing you with tools for lasting relief.
Signs & Symptoms for Dry Eyes
Detecting dry eye disease early is crucial to effectively managing the condition and preventing further complications. Here are some key signs and symptoms to look out for:
● Sensitivity to Light: Do you notice discomfort or a stinging sensation when you’re exposed to bright lights or sunlight? This could be a sign of dry eye disease, as the condition causes your eyes to become more sensitive to light.
● Persistent Dryness and Irritation: If you frequently experience dryness, itchiness, or a gritty sensation in your eyes, you could suffer from dry eye disease. You might notice that your discomfort is worse in certain environments, such as air-conditioned rooms or windy outdoor conditions.● Excessive Tearing: While it might seem counter-intuitive, dry eye disease can cause your eyes to produce excessive tears; this is a protective response to the dryness. If you find yourself frequently wiping away tears, you might have underlying dry eye issues.● Redness and Inflammation: Dry eye disease can cause the blood vessels on the surface of the eyes to become inflamed, leading to redness and causing your eyes to look bloodshot.● Blurred or Fluctuating Vision: Persistently dry eyes can affect the quality of your vision, causing it to become blurry or fluctuate throughout the day. This can make it difficult for you to focus, especially during activities that require prolonged visual concentration such as reading or using a computer.
What is IPL Treatment & How Can It Help?
IPL FAQ's
OptiLight IPL Treatment Questions & Answers
IPL treatment is known to provide long-lasting relief from dry eye disease; many patients report improved tear quality, reduced dryness, and enhanced overall eye comfort. IPL is a safe and effective option for anyone who has not found sufficient relief from traditional dry eye treatments.
What Is OptiLight IPL by Lumenis?
OptiLight by Lumenis is a light-based, non-invasive treatment done in the area below the eyes to manage dry eye. This is the first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.
The treatment is safe and gentle and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.
We are excited to add OptiLight by Lumenis as another treatment option for our patients. Make an appointment with our doctors to see if you are a good candidate for this treatment.What is IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)?
Our 20/20 Dry Eye Spa is proud to offer intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) as an in-office treatment. IPL can be used to treat dry eyes and styes. A specific wavelength of light (not laser), is used to reduce inflammation around the eyes. This form of light therapy is very effective for those who have ocular rosacea, facial rosacea, and spider veins. IPL helps repair damaged cells, eradicates damaged blood vessels, and reduces inflammation. The heat from the light energy helps liquefy the oil-producing meibomian glands to improve the tear function by adding more lubrication to the eyes.
How does it work?
OptiLight uses precise pulses of light to reduce the inflammation that is typically associated with dry eye disease, improve tear break-up time, and increase meibomian gland functionality.
This application can significantly relieve dry eye indicators and has a multi-factorial effect, including:● Increasing tear break-up time.● Reducing the amount of Demodex mites and bacteria living around your eyes.● Eliminating blood vessels that contribute to inflammation.● Improving meibomian gland functionality.What to expect
Before Your TreatmentTo prepare for treatment, please don’t use any medications or creams that can make the skin more sun-sensitive and reduce your sun exposure. If you wear makeup, don’t use any on the day of your treatment. If you have facial hair, please shave before treatment. You should also wear glasses instead of contacts as your contacts will be removed before treatment.
During Your TreatmentThis treatment is fast and simple. During the treatment, your doctor will apply a coupling gel to the treatment area and cover your eyes with shields.
As light is applied to the skin, and you may experience a warm sensation. The treatment is gentle with minimum discomfort. The treatment itself will only take 10–15 minutes.
After Your TreatmentThe treatment area may be sensitive for 48 hours after treatment. You may feel a mild sunburn sensation that should go away soon after the procedure. Some may experience some blurred vision too; this means the meibomian glands are secreting more oils than before. As long as you follow the aftercare plan your doctor provides, you should have no issues post-treatment.
A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart.Will the OptiLight by Lumenis Work for Me?
While OptiLight by Lumenis is an effective dry eye management solution, we want to make sure it’s right for you. We do not recommend this treatment if you:● Suffer from aqueous deficiency dry eye (rather than evaporative dry eye or meibomian gland dysfunction).● Have a history of keloid scarring.● Have severe scarring around your eyes.● If your Fitzpatrick Skin Type is higher than IV.
Does It Work on Rosacea?
Yes, IPL is an excellent option for those who suffer from both ocular rosacea and rosacea on the face. IPL helps eliminate the capillaries associated with inflammation. The redness in and around the eyes and face along with the spider veins on the skin can be dramatically reduced with IPL.