If you’re tired of constant discomfort caused by dry eyes, you should know that you’re alone. Our team at West Shore Eye Care is focused on helping you find relief by addressing the source of the problem with modern, in-office dry eye treatments.
Lumenis IPL is a light-based treatment designed to address the underlying cause of many cases of dry eye. It’s designed to help restore the natural function of your eye, and it offers a way to manage symptoms by focusing on the health of the glands in your eyelids.
Understand the Root Cause of Your Dry Eye
For many people, dry eye discomfort comes from an issue with their eyelids. An exam with your local eye doctor in Ludington, MI, can help you explore the reason behind your symptoms and find a path toward relief.
When Oil Glands Don’t Work Properly
Your eyelids have tiny glands that produce a layer of oil for your tears. This oil is important—it stops your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands get clogged, your eyes can become irritated, watery, and sore. This common condition is known as meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD.
How Lumenis IPL Works to Soothe Your Eyes
Lumenis IPL is a treatment that uses gentle, precise pulses of light to target the underlying factors of dry eye related to MGD.
A Gentle & Targeted Approach
The light pulses used in IPL are a key part of the process:
- They help reduce the inflammation around the eyes that contributes to dryness.
- They gently warm your eyelids to liquefy and release trapped oils from the glands.
- They can help with the tiny, abnormal blood vessels that may cause irritation.
What to Expect from Your IPL Session
Your comfort is a priority, which is why the IPL process is designed to be straightforward and fit into your schedule. Knowing what to expect both during and after your appointment can help you feel prepared and at ease.
A Quick & Comfortable Process
Each IPL session is surprisingly fast—usually lasting about 15 minutes. During the treatment, your eyes are fully protected with shields, and our team makes sure that you’re comfortable from start to finish.
Your Personalized Treatment Plan
For many people, we recommend a series of IPL treatments. Often, this means 4 sessions spaced a few weeks apart in order to achieve noticeable improvement. After your initial series of sessions, a single maintenance session from time to time can help keep your eyes feeling good.
After Your Appointment
There’s no downtime needed after an IPL session. You may notice some slight redness on your treated skin, but these effects usually fade within a few hours.
The Goals & Benefits of IPL Treatment
The main goal of Lumenis IPL is to help restore the natural function of your oil glands. This helps stabilize your tear film, which can lead to significant improvements in how your eyes feel day-to-day.
- Lasting Comfort: By addressing the root cause of many symptoms, IPL can provide lasting relief from the various symptoms of dry eye.
- Improved Tear Quality: Healthier glands mean a healthier oil layer for your tears, keeping your eyes hydrated longer.
- Less Reliance on Eye Drops: You may find that you need to use artificial tears less often after completing your treatment plan.
Is Lumenis IPL a Good Fit for You?
This treatment can be a great option for many people with MGD, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. A thorough eye exam with your eye doctor in Ludington, MI is the first step to determine if IPL is a suitable treatment.
When IPL May Not Be an Option
Our team will review your health history to make sure that IPL treatment is appropriate for your situation. IPL may not be recommended if you’ve had recent eye surgery, take certain photosensitive medications, or have specific skin conditions.
If you’re ready to explore a different approach to dry eye relief, our team at West Shore Eye Care can help. Schedule a consultation to find out if Lumenis IPL can help you achieve more comfortable vision.
