Those struggling with dry eyes usually have issues with these areas not functioning optimally. Many systemic conditions contribute to dry eyes and the aging skin and we can help these areas of concern.
Dry eye disease is a way to describe a common condition that plagues many people and is seen with signs and symptoms of dryness on the surface of the eye due to an issue with the eye's tear film. Some symptoms people may complain about includes: dry, gritty, sandy, scratchy eyes and some even say "I feel like there are rocks in my eyes". It's uncomfortable and it's not normal to feel your eyes.
Dry eye can be caused by many different factors and 85% is related to meibomian gland dysfunction. These glands are in your eyelids and responsible for producing meibum or oil used to mix into your tears creating a tear film that lubricates the eye. Without this oil, your tears will evaporate and the surface of the eye will become rough, irritated and an inflammatory cascade begins. The eye is trying to tell you -- there is a problem.
OptiLight is a non-invasive treatment using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to deliver these bright pulses of light to the skin in order to decrease inflammation that is often associated with dry eye disease, increases the structure and improve the function of the meibomian glands helping to improve oil into the tears and ultimately improving your tear fim.
IPL has been used for many years in dermatology to improve skin disorders such as rosacea, redness, unwanted blood vessels on the skin surface and pigment. Through these treatments dry eye was improving which gave experts an idea to study the benefits of IPL on the eyelids and dry eye disease. Fortunately, the FDA agreed with these advances and the technology was approved by the FDA as a treatment for dry eye management.
There are aesthetic side effects which many find pleasing - improved tightness of the skin due to stimulation of collagen, less redness, and smoother, less pigmented skin. However, the benefits of IPL are not typically seen in only one treatment. Often we need 3 to 4 or more to see results.
To help us determine if OptiLight is right for you, we have you do a Dry Eye Consultation with Dr. Christensen. She will image your meibomian glands, evaluate your tears and ocular surface as well as the eyelid margin and meibum excretion (is the oil - clear, cloudy, yellow, thick). At this evaluation, we can come up with a plan, answer any questions and schedule you for IPL if it's the correct form of treatment. This evaluation is billable to your medical and takes about 30-40 minutes. No dilation is needed and you can return to normal life when it's over.
Please avoid direct sunlight for 3-5 days before your treatments, including tanning beds and self-tanning lotions.
2 weeks prior to your appointment:
Do not use medication that can cause photosensitivity (such as Doxycycline - an antibiotic)
Do not receive Botox or fillers
In the 2-3 days leading up to your appointment, avoid topical products containing:
Glycolic acid
Retin A
Exfoliators
Bleaching agents
When you arrive, we will have you complete paperwork to get a better idea of your skin and skin routine. We will take you to our spa room and clean your face to remove makeup and debris. Sometimes it is necessary to exfoliate your eyelids with a gentle wash that removes buildup on the margin of the eyelid and base of the lashes.
Before we begin, we will provide you with eye protection (goggles or disposable protectors). We will apply a layer of ultrasound gel to your skin.
The actual OptiLight treatment is fairly quick - about 10-15 minutes. It's gentle and bright (hence the protective eyewear). We can do other aesthetic treatments for sun spots or vessels which can be a little more "spicy" - giving a quick zing feeling that is very short lived.
After your treatment, we will clean your skin and apply a moisturizer and sunscreen. We recommend applying sunscreen daily until your sessions are complete (really good to always do this!)
If you experience brown spots or a darkening of your skin that looks like coffee grounds, this is normal. These will shed in a week or so, do not exfoliate. Wait for them to fall off. Avoiding hot baths, showers, saunas, hot tubs for 2-4 days after is recommended and you may wear makeup as long as your skin looks and feels normal. Many people feel side effects typically resolve in 3-7 days at most. These may include slight redness, swelling or irritation in the areas you received treatment.
Includes Lid Exfoliation + 4 LLLT Sessions + Expression
Includes Lid Exfoliation + 4 IPL Sessions + Expression
