Did you know that light can be an effective treatment for both dry eye and skin conditions? Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a modern treatment that harnesses light energy to treat skin issues like acne scars, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, wrinkles, and more. It is also used to treat dry eye by unclogging the meibomian glands.
This therapy can be helpful for people with chronic dry eye. If you’re interested in IPL therapy for dry eye, discuss your symptoms and medical history with your optometrist.
What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy uses multiple wavelengths of light energy to target problem areas on the skin. It can also be used to treat dry eye. IPL is similar to laser therapy, but it can cover a larger area of treatment.
The light energy from IPL penetrates through to the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the outer layer or epidermis. This light gets absorbed by your pigment cells, and the resulting heat destroys unwanted pigment or hair follicles. While IPL has many benefits, it may not be safe for people who:
- Are pregnant
- Take blood thinners
- Have active acne or were recently (or currently) taking Accutane
- Are prone to keloid scarring
- Have a skin resurfacing disorder, a recent sunburn, or significant scarring
Effects of IPL Treatment
IPL has many uses, from treating dry eye to removing wrinkles and unwanted hair.
IPL & Dry Eye
Dry eye is a common condition that causes dry, irritated eyes, blurry vision, excessive tears, or the feeling that something is stuck in your eye. It’s an uncomfortable condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s productivity and quality of life.
Dry eye happens when you don’t produce enough tears, or your tears don’t have the right balance of water, oil, and mucus. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one possible cause of dry eye. MGD occurs when your meibomian glands, located in your eyelids, either don’t produce enough oil or produce oil of poor quality.
If you have dry eye caused by MGD, IPL treatment can help unclog and remove debris from your meibomian glands, while also fighting bacterial growth and inflammation. IPL isn’t a cure for dry eye, but research suggests that IPL therapy is more effective than treatments like eyelid scrubs, warm compresses, and artificial tears.
IPL & Skin Conditions
Intense pulsed light can also treat a wide variety of skin conditions. These include:
- Scars, including acne scars
- Unwanted birthmarks
- Hyperpigmentation conditions, such as age spots and freckles
- Rosacea and melasma
- Spider veins and wrinkles
- Stretch marks
- Sun damage
- Unwanted hair
IPL tends to be more effective for people with lighter skin tones. However, when it comes to hair removal, it tends to work better for those with thick and dark-colored hair (as opposed to thin and light-colored hair). You may also require multiple rounds of treatment before you see results. The effectiveness of IPL is similar to that of laser treatment.
IPL Treatment: What to Expect
At Advanced Eyecare Optometry, we offer IPL for dry eye. If you’re interested in IPL therapy for skin issues, we recommend speaking to a dermatologist or visiting a medical spa.
If you’re interested in IPL for dry eye, here’s what you can expect:
- First, visit us for a consultation. We can evaluate your dry eyes and assess whether IPL therapy is an appropriate treatment. We can also further explain how IPL works and what you need to do to prepare.
- On the day of the procedure, we’ll first protect your eyes by giving you protective goggles to wear.
- Then, we’ll add a cooling gel to the treatment area.
- Next, we’ll place a handheld device that emits light against the treatment area. The light energy should melt blockages in your meibomian glands.
- Afterwards, we may manually express oil from your meibomian glands. This kickstarts your meibomian glands to start producing oils
Many people experience improvement in their symptoms after 1 or 2 sessions. Relief is often temporary, and multiple sessions may be required.
Does IPL Hurt?
Everyone responds to IPL differently. Some people find it uncomfortable, while others liken the sensation to getting a rubber band snapped against your skin. Like any medical procedure, IPL carries risks. Feel free to bring up any questions or concerns you may have, and be sure to tell us about other health conditions you have and medications you use.
Alternatives to IPL
IPL is an exciting therapy, but it’s not right for everyone. If we determine that you’re not a suitable candidate for IPL, we can discuss other dry eye therapies like artificial tears, prescription medications, punctal plugs, and lifestyle changes.
Learn More About IPL Therapy in Chestnut Ridge
Dry eye is a common yet frustrating problem for many Americans. As optometrists in Chestnut Ridge, we want our community members we serve to see clearly and comfortably. That’s why we stay up to date with technologies like IPL—to offer our patients options for relief.
Advanced Eyecare Optometry has been providing eye care services to Chestnut Ridge and the surrounding areas since 1994. Whether you’re struggling with dry eye symptoms or are due for your next routine eye exam, contact us today to book an appointment.
