If you experience the scratchy, irritated feeling of chronic dry eye, you know how it can affect your day. You may have heard about a treatment called Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, and wondered what it is. This post will walk you through how this technology works and what you can expect from the treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light is one of the effective treatments for dry eye. It uses gentle light pulses to decrease inflammation, warm and unblock the oil glands in your eyelids, decrease the bacteria on your eyelids and lashes, ultimately improving your tear quality and providing relief. It’s a non-invasive way to help your body’s natural tear function work more effectively.
A Look at Dry Eye Symptoms & Causes
Dry eye occurs when your tears don’t provide enough moisture for your eyes. This can happen if you don’t produce enough tears or if your tears are of poor quality and evaporate too quickly. For many people, the problem stems from blocked oil glands in the eyelids—a condition known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).
Common Signs of Dry Eye
You may be experiencing dry eye if you have symptoms such as:
- A stinging or gritty feeling
- Fluctuating vision
- Redness in your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes—which is your body’s response to the irritation
- Blurry vision that comes and goes
What Is Intense Pulsed Light & How Does It Work?
Intense Pulsed Light is a therapy that uses specific wavelengths of light to help manage dry eye. It’s a gentle, non-invasive procedure that we perform right in our office. The treatment is designed to address the underlying cause of many dry eye cases.
How Light Helps Your Eyes
We apply the light energy from IPL to the skin around your eyes. This process kills superficial blood vessels, thereby reducing inflammation, gently warms the eyelids, which helps to melt and release the hardened oil clogging the meibomian glands, and reduces eyelid margin bacteria that promote inflammation.
Decreasing inflammation and improving the oil layer of the tear film enhances your tear quality and helps slow down tear evaporation. As a result, your eyes can stay lubricated for longer. This helps relieve the uncomfortable symptoms associated with dry eye.
What to Expect During & After an IPL Session
The treatment itself is a straightforward process. You’ll wear protective shields over your eyes while we apply gentle pulses of light to the surrounding skin. Most people describe the feeling as a warm sensation. Following IPL, your optometrist will manually express your meibomian glands in an effort to clear out any hardened oil and improve gland function.
How Many IPL Sessions Do You Need?
IPL is typically not a one-time treatment. Many people see improvement after a series of sessions—often 3 to 4 appointments scheduled a few weeks apart.
What to Expect After IPL Treatment for Dry Eyes
After a session, you can usually return to your daily activities immediately, but we’ll provide you with detailed instructions for post-treatment care. Your skin might look a little red for a few hours, similar to a mild sunburn. It’s important to protect your skin from sun exposure after each treatment.
How Effective Is IPL for Dry Eyes
Many people find that IPL treatment provides significant relief from their dry eye symptoms. By addressing the root cause, IPL helps your eyes produce better quality tears. This can lead to greater comfort and clearer vision.
It’s important to remember that results can vary from person to person. A dry eye consultation can help us determine if this is a suitable option for you. Our focus is on finding a path that helps your unique situation.
How Long Do the Results Last?
The benefits of IPL can last for several months. Your experience will depend on the severity of your condition.
To maintain the results, we might recommend a follow-up treatment every 6 to 12 months. Regular check-ins allow us to monitor your progress so that we can help keep your eyes comfortable long-term.
Are There Any Potential Downsides to IPL?
IPL is a safe procedure for many candidates. Like any treatment, it can have some temporary side effects. These can include mild redness or swelling in the treated area.
You may also experience some light sensitivity for a short time after your session. These effects typically resolve on their own within a few hours or days. We’ll discuss the details with you before your first session.
Find Out If IPL Is an Option for You
IPL is one of several ways to manage dry eye, but it is not suitable for everyone. Different factors, such as your skin type and the specific cause of your dry eye, play a role. The only way to know for sure is to have your eyes checked by a professional.
Your First Step Toward Relief
A thorough eye exam is the best way to determine the cause of your dry eye. As your eye doctors in Kitchener-Waterloo, we can perform a full assessment of your tear film and gland function.
Based on our findings, we can help you decide if IPL or another treatment is the right path for you. We want to help you find lasting relief!
Other Ways to Manage Dry Eye Symptoms
Besides IPL, we can suggest other effective dry eye treatments, some of which you can do at home, and some of which require a visit to our clinic. These include:
- Prescription eye drops
- Warm compresses
- Specific eyelid hygiene routines
- Dietary supplements with omega-3 fatty acids
- Radiofrequency Treatment
- Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZES)
Your sight is precious, and you don’t have to live with the daily discomfort of dry eye. At Waterloo Vision Care Clinic, our team is committed to finding a solution that helps you feel and see better. Book an appointment today to discuss your symptoms and explore your treatment options.
