IPL – Mearns Opticians

OptiLight is the first and only IPL FDA-approved Treatment for Dry Eye management!

If you’ve had limited relief with drops, warm compresses or lid wipes, then IPL treatment may be the ideal option for you!!

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. OptiLight with Lumenis patented Optimal Pulse Technology uses precise, intense broad-spectrum light to reduce inflammation – one of the key underlining factors in dry eye disease due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, or MGD. This condition is very common in patients who suffer from ocular and/or facial rosaeca.

IPL treatment for dry eyes actually treats Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) – the root cause of evaporative dry eye. Treating MGD will not only relieve symptoms, but it will also slow the progression of chronic dry eye.

OptiLight was specifically developed to reach the delicate contours of the treated area safely, effectively and gently. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is not a laser, but a light-based therapy. It has long been used in dermatology to treat vascular facial lesions, rosacea spots, and pigmented areas.

Filters are used to apply specific wavelengths of light to target abnormal blood vessels in the eyelids and skin that are often responsible for causing eyelid inflammation.

Backed by numerous clinical studies, OptiLight’s novel Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT) provides a transformative, safe, and efficacious way to improve Dry Eye disease due to MGD. The way we treat your eyes is the way we want you to feel; safe, with control, and precision.

IPL Treatment is most effective on Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-V.

A comprehensive Dry Eye consultation with the Optometrist will normally be required before IPL recommendation. This is to ensure suitablilty and discuss any underlying risks factors.

View Fitzpatrick Skin Types

Optilight IPL KEY FEATURES

Proven Settings And Protocols

Utilize embedded settings based on Lumenis’ clinically validated treatment protocols for safe and effective dry eye treatment.

Patented OPT™ Handpiece

Each patients has individual, delicate facial contours. With the patented OPT™ handpiece, the treatment is easily customized to fit every curve and outline.

Ergonomic IPL Handpiece

Treat wider areas safely and comfortably using the IPL handpiece with patented SapphireCool™ technology to effectively break dry eye vicious cycle of inflammation.

Optimal results in just a few short sessions

A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart
Each IPL treatment costs £185
Each session usually takes only 20-30 minutes, although we allow as much time as necessary.
During the treatment your practitioner will apply a coupling gel on the treatment area and cover your eyes with shields.
You may experience a warm sensation as light is applied to the skin, the treatment is gentle with minimum discomfort
OptiLight is often followed by Meibomian Glands expression

AFTER THE TREATMENT

Immediately following treatment, you may experience some redness. This will usually disappear within a few hours. You can return to your daily activities and apply makeup straight away in most cases. You will be advised to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days and to apply sunscreen. Patients usually report an improvement after their 1st or 2nd treatment. Maintenance treatments are usually recommended every 6-12 months, to ensure the best long-term results.

For more information on dry eye, please see our dedicated Dry Eye page.

To book your assessment at our Dry Eye Clinic, please call us on 0141 639 2121, or you can email us at info@mearnsopticians.com. To book an eye exam online, simply click the button below.

IPL FAQ’S

What does IPL mean?

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.

How does IPL work?

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a painless, in-office treatment that effectively treats the underlying cause of Dry Eye Disease (DED) associated with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).

During this procedure, gentle pulses of light are delivered to the skin adjacent to the eyes to reduce inflammation and eliminate any bacterial infection. These pulses melt the thick secretions on the eyelids, release the build-up of oil, and unclog the meibomian glands.

This specialised treatment stimulates the natural flow of oil into the tears, stabilises the tear film and improves dry eye symptoms.

What is MGD?

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) refers to the condition where the glands that line your eyelid margins are not secreting enough oil or when the oil they secrete is of poor quality. Often, the oil gland openings get plugged up so that less oil comes out of the glands. The oil that does make it out of the glands can be granular (crusty) or otherwise unhealthy and can cause irritation.

MGD is very common. In the early stages, patients are often asymptomatic, but if left untreated, MGD can cause or exacerbate dry eye symptoms and eyelid inflammation. The oil glands become blocked with thickened secretions. Chronically clogged glands eventually become unable to secrete oil which results in permanent changes in the tear film and dry eyes.

Symptoms include:

For more information on MGD please visit our dedicated page here.

How many treatments will I require?

Generally, up to 4 treatments are required separated by a minimum of 2 weeks.

What to expect during treatment?

Before beginning the IPL treatment, your Optometrist will place eye shields over your eyelids to protect them from the bright light pulses. A thin layer of cooling gel will also be applied to the skin around your eyes to protect that sensitive area as well.

Your Optometrist will then hold a small device over your eyelids to administer the pulses of light. The heat from the light pulses will then lead to the melting of the thick, crusty secretions blocking your oil glands.

After the IPL has successfully opened your meibomian glands, your Optometrist may also express a small amount of oil from the glands in your eyelids to stimulate normal oil flow.

Are there side effects?

You may experience some of the following after treatment:

Temporary erythema (redness),
Temporary itching and oedema (swelling),
Temporary hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation (lightening or darkening of the skin in the treated area).

Will my dry eye be cured after the course of treatments?

There is no cure for MGD. Warm compresses are still advised and only one session of IPL treatment is required every year

Who should not have IPL treatment?

The following contraindications are specific to the use of the OptiLight for treatment of Dry Eye Disease due to MGD:

Ocular surgery or eyelid surgery, within 6 months prior to the first IPL session
Neuro-paralysis in the planned treatment area, within 6 months prior to the first IPL session
Uncontrolled eye disorders affecting the ocular surface, for example active allergies
Pre-cancerous lesions, skin cancer or pigmented lesions in the planned treatment area
Uncontrolled infections or uncontrolled immunosuppressive diseases
Ocular infections, within 6 months prior to the first IPL session
Prior history of cold sores or rashes in the perioral area or in the planned treatment area that could be stimulated by light at a wavelength of 560 nm to 1200 nm, including: Herpes simplex 1 & 2, Systemic Lupus erythematosus, and porphyria
Within 3 months prior to the first IPL session, use of photosensitive medication and/or herbs that may cause sensitivity to 560-1200 nm light exposure, including: Isotretinoin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, and St. John’s Wort
Radiation therapy to the head or neck, within 12 months prior to the first IPL session
Planned radiation therapy, within 8 weeks after the last IPL session
Treatment with chemotherapeutic agent, within 8 weeks prior to the first IPL session
Planned chemotherapy, within 8 weeks after the last IPL session
History of migraines, seizures or epilepsy

IPL therapy will only be recommended after a full dry eye consultation has taken place with your Optometrist, this will include determining any risks or contraindication that exist.

How much does IPL therapy cost?

IPL therapy costs £185 per treatment.

In most cases 4 treatments are recommended, with around 2 weeks intervals between each treatment.

Can I drive after the treatment?

Yes.

Are all IPL deviced the same?

No!
Research shows that there is significant variation in the energy output from different IPL devices.
The Lumenis M22 OptiLight IPL is the most widely researched dry eye IPL technology.
The M22 OptiLight is the latest generation IPL using constant energy multiple pulses without any spikes in energy.

Do you offer IPL treatments for facial Rosacea?

Yes. This will be discussed with you during your initial consultation