How Could IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Help Your Dry Eye?
Many Americans suffer from dry eye disease in their life, but most do not know what they can do about it. In addition, many people do not even have information about what dry eyes are, including those having regular eye exams. This article explains what dry eyes are and explores an innovative technique for treating this condition with intense pulsed light (IPL). Please continue reading to learn more about whether intense pulsed light could be suitable for you.
What Are Dry Eyes and Does It Matter?
When your eyes struggle to produce tears, it results in the occurrence of dry eye disease. You may notice that your tears shed and evaporate faster than expected. You may even experience excessive tear production in some cases.
Dry eyes matter because they come with unpleasant symptoms, including itching in the eyes, burning sensation in and around the eyes, redness of the skin near the eyes, and feelings of pain. Dry eyes occur when the facial oils necessary for tear production block the meibomian glands in the eyelids. The eyes stop the production of tears when the facial oils do not flow naturally into the tear film of the eye.
Intense Pulsed Light Explained and Can It Work for Dry Eyes
Intense pulsed light functions by using pulses of light to loosen the oils accumulated within the meibomian glands. Before the procedure, the eye surgeon near you uses disposable eye shields to cover each eye. After applying ultrasonic gel to the surrounding skin, you receive light pulses throughout the preauricular site from one side of the face to the other.
Intense pulsed light is similar to laser therapy. However, the light it produces isn’t focused in one area but scattered across. IPL also uses light of different wavelengths, unlike lasers using a single wavelength. After completing the pulsing dry eye treatment in MD Monterey, CA, stimulates the glands to produce oil, causing it to flow naturally again.
Topical Dry Eye Medical Treatments
Many people use lubricating eye drops to manage the discomfort from dry eyes. Topical treatments moisturize the eyes and are called artificial tears. Different brands vary between each other and generally contain some of the chemicals naturally present in the eyes.
Topical solutions prescribed by medical professionals do more than merely moisturize the eye. Some products also have anti-inflammatory properties to help stimulate tear production. Unfortunately, prescribed treatments may require several months before they function correctly. However, they can complement before a treatment like intense pulsed light therapy.
Meibomian Gland Expression
Meibomian gland expression (MGX) involves an eye surgeon manually stimulating the meibomian glands for unlocking. Eye MD, Monterey, CA, uses tools to express thick meibum blocking your glands.
Using IPL and MGX separately is possible, but studies reveal that IPL is more effective when supplementing MGX. Therefore dry eye treatment in MD, Monterey, CA, might recommend using them together depending on your specific situation.
Your eye doctor might install punctual plugs minuscule body self-inserts into your tear ducts. The plugs prevent tears from draining too fast to help in cases where the cause of the dry eyes is the lack of tear production.
Which Technique Is Suitable for You?
The symptoms of dry eyes vary and are not the same in every case. If you experience the problem of dry eyes, you must consult with an eye surgeon near you to understand what treatment they might recommend. In many cases, the surgeon may begin using simple techniques like artificial tears or gland expression before advising intense pulsed light.
IPL helps treat dry eyes, especially when combined with MGX. The Monterey practitioner uses advanced technology when administering IPL treatments for dry eyes and other skin treatments. However, they also provide other therapies, as discussed earlier.
Discussion with Your Eye Doctor
If concerns about dry eyes are bothering you, consult the issue with our Monterey eye surgeon. Not only can the surgeon help you determine the appropriate course of action, but they can also perform extensive diagnostic testing to determine the severity and the type of dry eyes you have. Dry eyes affect many Americans, but the condition is entirely treatable so long as you follow the advice of experienced eye surgeons. IPL is also helpful in medical aesthetics besides dry eye treatments. IPL helps treat problems like warts, rosacea, spider veins, and scars.
If you are looking for Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease in Monterey, CA, you can call or book an appointment with Eye MD Monterey.