What Is the OptiLight by Lumenis & How Can It Manage Your Dry Eye?
September 20, 2021
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.
At Moore Eye Clinic, we don’t want any of our patients simply putting up with dry eye. With advancements in eye care technology, we’re now able to offer our patients innovative dry eye treatments. Our practice has selected a treatment method to help relieve the symptoms of dry eye, supporting healthy eyes and everyday eye comfort.
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
To experience the best results, we ask you to please avoid unprotected sun exposure for 3 weeks prior to your appointment. If you’re going outside, we recommend applying sunscreen of SPF 50 or higher to the treatment areas.
Please avoid wearing make-up or lotion to your appointment. If you use any skin products containing retinol, do not use them for at least 7 days prior to your appointment and 2 days afterward. As well, do not take Accutane (isotretinoin) for 6 months prior to treatment.
Finally, if you have a history of cold sores, please take prophylactic medication a day before and a day after your treatment.
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 [depending on the doctor].
After Your Treatment
To support your eyes and skin, use SPF 30–50 on treated areas for 2 weeks after treatment. As well, please avoid scrubbing at the treated skin for 1–2 weeks following the treatment. It’s possible the skin can be sensitive after the treatment.
Part of Your Custom Treatment Plan
A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart [depending on the doctor].
If we notice other issues during your treatment, we may recommend one of our other dry eye therapy options. As everyone’s eyes are different, select therapy options may be more effective for certain individuals.
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. Call our office today to schedule a dry eye evaluation to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your needs.