Dry eye disease is a widespread and common issue for up to 49 million Americans. This chronic condition can have a significant impact on your quality of life, causing a foreign body sensation in your eyes, pain, blurry vision, and dry or watery eyes. Untreated, it can even lead to further eye health complications.
Despite these constant detrimental effects on quality of life, many dry eye sufferers are unaware that they’re suffering from dry eye disease or that real treatments exist. Instead, they just live with the discomfort.
Bella Vision is dedicated to making your experience at our office unforgettable and comfortable through the use of modern dry eye solutions and methodology. Our team utilizes an Oculus Keratograph 5M, Schirmer testing, meibography, SPEED dry eye survey, and corneal sensitivity testing to get the most accurate measurements and information about your eyes. These tools and tests will help our eye doctors become informed about what the most effective treatment will be for your dry eyes.
We’re proud to offer OptiLight by Lumenis to our patients, specially designed for dry eye management.
What Is OptiLight by Lumenis?
OptiLight by Lumenis is a light-based, non-invasive treatment done below and around the eyes to manage dry eye. The first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.
The treatment is safe, gentle, and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.
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, such as rosacea
- Improving meibomian gland functionality
What to Expect
Before Your Treatment
Before conducting IPL treatment, you will receive a dry eye evaluation—this will allow our eye doctors to discuss findings and diagnoses with you. There are a variety of different treatment options for dry eyes, so an evaluation will help determine what the most effective solution for you will be. Be ready to learn more about your eyes at this appointment!
During your evaluation, you will be required to fill out a dry eye survey—this is then proceeded by approximately 50+ images of the eyelids, lashes, and surface structures. We will also evaluate the quality and components of your tear film and anatomical structures so we can discern the reason why your eyes are dry in the first place.
During Your Treatment
This treatment is fast and simple. During the treatment, your doctor will apply a coupling gel on the treatment area and cover your eyes with shields.
As light is applied to the skin, you can experience a warm sensation depending on your skin type. The treatment is gentle with minimum discomfort. The treatment itself will only take 10–15 minutes.
OptiLight is often followed by meibomian gland expression, depending on the doctor.
After Your Treatment
Once your treatment session concludes, you may notice some mild redness that may last a few hours—this is completely normal.
You will be able to resume your normal skincare routine and activities on the same day of your appointment. Daily sunscreen is recommended after and in between IPL treatments.
Part of Your Custom Treatment Plan
A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart (depending on the recommendation of your eye doctor). Once you have completed the 4 treatment sessions, you may be required to attend maintenance treatment sessions every 6–12 months based on the recommendation of your eye doctor.
OptiLight sessions take about 45 minutes to complete, including prep and finishing up. The non-invasive treatment itself takes only 10–15 minutes. You can return to your daily activities quickly without any feelings of irritation after receiving IPL treatment at Bella Vision.
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
Ultimately, your doctor is the only person who can determine whether this option is right for you. During your next appointment, ask us if you are a good candidate for OptiLight by Lumenis.
You Don’t Have to Live With Dry Eye Anymore
Dry, irritated eyes can be managed with a new treatment that brings comfort and can restore quality of life. Visit your eye doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
