IPL is a common aesthetic treatment for skin conditions and used to fade visible blood vessels, reduce dark skin spots, and remove unwanted hair.
The value of IPL technology for treating dry eyes was discovered as a secondary effect to these purposes. Patients who were being treated with IPL for a specific skin problem called rosacea had reported that they were noticing a significant improvement in their dry eye symptoms.
Optilight technologies have been on the market for years treating various esthetics in the medical field. This company conducted more research and the benefits of IPL therapy for long term dry eye relief was established. Optilight is the only FDA IPL device approved for treatment of Dry Eye Disease by using specific wavelengths.
The Optilight IPL unit treats various conditions including meibomian gland dysfunction, ocular rosacea, demodex blepharitis, internal hordeolum (stye) and chalazions. The energy from the pulses of light permeates the surface of the skin and often a few sessions are needed to achieve the desired results. These treatments often have secondary benefits of evening skin tones and reducing lines by stimulating fibroblast activity and collagen production. Collagen production photo rejuvenates the skin by making the skin more elastic and has “anti-aging” effects.
How does IPL work?
The energy from the IPL pulses is transferred to the meibomian glands via a parasympathetic nerve located in the upper cheek area. The leads to the meibomian glands secreting better quality meibum into the tear film, resulting in a better-quality tear film. IPL can also decrease inflammation that is associated with dry eyes by narrowing the blood vessels that secrete inflammatory markers.