Dry eye disease is a common yet often overlooked condition that can cause significant discomfort. It is characterized by dry, irritated eyes and can be caused by anything from aging to environmental factors. Thankfully, there are treatments available to help alleviate the symptoms of dry eye disease, including OptiLight IPL therapy. Let’s take a closer look at dry eye disease and how this innovative in-office treatment option can help alleviate symptoms.
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease is a condition where the eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears are of poor quality. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Burning
- Itching
- Redness
- Blurry vision
Some people may experience watery eyes as a response to irritation. However, these excess tears are not necessarily beneficial for hydration as they are unable to form a protective film on the eye surface.
Common causes of dry eye disease
There are many potential causes of dry eye disease. As we age, our bodies produce fewer tears, leading to an increased risk of developing dry eye disease. Certain medications can also contribute to dry eye syndrome by decreasing tear production or changing its composition and quality. Additionally, environmental factors such as living in an area with a lot of air pollution or spending too much time in front of a digital screen may increase your risk.
The most common cause of dry eye disease is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Meibomian glands are tiny glands that line the edge of your eyelids, close to your eyelashes. They secrete oil (meibum) that keeps tears from drying up too quickly. If these glands become clogged or blocked, they can’t secrete enough oil and MGD can occur, leading to dry eye symptoms.
How OptiLight IPL Therapy helps relieve symptoms
At Avon Vision Associates, we’re proud to offer OptiLight IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy to treat dry eye symptoms caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. It is the first and only IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy FDA-approved for the management of dry eye disease due to MGD.
This type of therapy uses short bursts of light to stimulate tear gland activity by increasing blood flow around the affected area. By doing so, it helps the body produce more tears naturally, reducing eye discomfort as well as blurred vision caused by insufficient tear production. Research and multiple studies have shown that this treatment significantly improves dry eye symptoms.
The OptiLight IPL treatment is fast, straightforward, and painless. During the treatment, you may feel a mild warmth and see a bright flash as the light is applied to the skin. Most patients experience no discomfort, and the procedure only takes about 15 minutes to complete.
If you suffer from dry eye disease and would like to learn how OptiLight IPL therapy can help, schedule an appointment at Avon Vision Associates in Avon, CT or New Hartford Eye Associates in New Hartford, CT. We’ll thoroughly examine your eyes and discuss if OptiLight is the right treatment for your specific case.