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.
At St. Clair Eye, we specialize in identifying and treating the underlying cause of your dry eye disease. We can customize a treatment plan for your unique dry eye needs and symptoms using our state-of-the-art technology and dry eye diagnostic tools. Improve your quality of life and see the world without irritation.
We’re proud to offer OptiLight by Lumenis to our patients, specially designed for dry eye management, meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular forms of rosacea.
What Is OptiLight by Lumenis?
OptiLight by Lumenis is a light-based, non-invasive treatment done in the area surrounding 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
Preparing for your appointment begins 3 weeks prior. Avoid sun exposure and artificial tanning in the weeks leading up to your treatment.
Arrive with a clean face free of any makeup or moisturizer on the day of your appointment. Don’t use aspirin or ibuprofen before 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 around 15 minutes
After Your Treatment
You can return to your daily activities almost immediately after treatment. If going in the sun, you should wear a 30 SPF or higher sunscreen for at least one month after treatment. You can wear makeup after treatment finishes but discontinue use if you experience any side effects.
Part of Your Custom Treatment Plan
A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced a few weeks apart.
Your eye doctor has several treatment options to help relieve your dry eye symptoms as part of your customized treatment plan. Other treatments include meibomian gland expression, microblepharoexfoliation, punctal plugs, biologic eye drops, and more.
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.
Contact your eye doctor if you want relief from your dry eye symptoms.