What Is the OptiLight by Lumenis & How Can It Manage Your Dry Eye?
Dry eye disease is a widespread and common issue for up to 49 million Americans. This chronic condition can have a significant impact on your quality of life, causing a foreign body sensation in your eyes, pain, blurry vision, and dry or watery eyes. Untreated, it can even lead to further eye health complications.
Despite these constant detrimental effects on quality of life, many dry eye sufferers are not aware that they’re suffering from dry eye disease or that real treatments exist. Instead, they just live with the discomfort.
When you book an appointment to manage your dry eye symptoms at Blaine Eye Clinic, we’ll take you through a thorough eye exam. We use every tool in our arsenal, from a symptom survey to high caliber diagnostic tools like TearLab, InflammaDry, and tests to measure the break-up time of your tears and the dry spots on the eyes. We’re dedicated to your optimal ocular health.
We’re proud to offer OptiLight by Lumenis to our patients, specially designed for dry eye management.
What Is OptiLight by Lumenis?
OptiLight by Lumenis is a light-based, non-invasive treatment done in the area below the eyes to manage dry eye. The first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.
The treatment is safe, gentle, and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.
How Does It Work?
OptiLight uses precise pulses of light to reduce the inflammation that is typically associated with dry eye disease, improve tear break-up time, and increase meibomian gland functionality.
This application can significantly relieve dry eye indicators and has a multi-factorial effect, including:
- Increasing tear break-up time
- Reducing the amount of demodex mites and bacteria living around your eyes
- Eliminating blood vessels that contribute to inflammation
- Improving meibomian gland functionality
What to Expect
Before Your Treatment
In the weeks leading up to your treatment, you’ll need to avoid sun exposure. We recommend being extra diligent about sunscreen application and wearing sunglasses for further protection.
We’ll ensure your face is fresh and clean when you arrive at our clinic to undergo your dry eye treatment. We recommend skipping makeup and skincare products the day of your appointment.
During Your Treatment
This treatment is fast and simple. During the treatment, your doctor will apply a coupling gel on the treatment area and cover your eyes with shields.
As light is applied to the skin, you may experience a warm sensation. The treatment is gentle with minimum discomfort. The treatment itself will only take 10–15 minutes.
OptiLight is often followed by meibomian gland expression. This helps clear any blockages from the glands that provide the oily layer of your tears, returning balance to your tear layer and providing relief of dry eye symptoms.
After Your Treatment
Following your treatment, a cool compress or washcloth can be applied to ease any sensation in the skin. Some patients experience some redness and swelling. This should pass quickly, but a cool cloth will help soothe these minor side effects.
It’s crucial to avoid direct sunlight on the treated area. Use high-quality sunscreen and make sure your skin is protected for at least a month following treatment. Tanning at this time is not advisable.
Keeping the eyes clear of any potential irritants post-treatment, including makeup, is suggested, particularly if you have sensitive skin. Others may be cleared to continue any makeup use almost immediately following treatment. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Some mind side effects can be expected following the procedure, including:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tearing
- Mild vision fluctuations
- A slight scratchy sensation
- Some light sensitivity
Not every patient will feel these, but they are perfectly normal. However, any significant effects, such as strong vision problems or pain, warrant a call to our office.
Part of Your Custom Treatment Plan
A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart. Blaine eye clinic can build a personally tailored dry eye management plan that suits your exact needs.
OptiLight treatments can be paired with additional dry eye solutions, such as:
- Artificial tears
- Eyelid cleansers
- Warm compresses
- Prescription dry eye medications
If you’re a contact lens user who suffers from dry eye symptoms, we offer specialty contact lenses that can make wear more comfortable. Your eye care team can suggest the best course of action in your fight against dry eye.
Will the OptiLight by Lumenis Work for Me?
While OptiLight by Lumenis is an effective dry eye management solution, we want to make sure it’s right for you. We do not recommend this treatment if you:
- Suffer from aqueous deficiency dry eye (rather than evaporative dry eye or meibomian gland dysfunction)
- Have a history of keloid scarring
- Have severe scarring around your eyes
Ultimately, your doctor is the only person who can determine whether this option is right for you. During your next appointment, ask us if you are a good candidate for OptiLight by Lumenis.
You Don’t Have to Live With Dry Eye Anymore
Dry, irritated eyes can be managed with a new treatment that brings comfort and can restore quality of life. Visit your eye doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
