If you’ve ever felt that burning, gritty sensation on the surface of your eyes, you’ve likely dealt with dry eye. It’s extremely common, and fortunately, it’s also highly treatable through dry eye therapy options like IPL. However, it’s important to understand the potential side effects of treatments like IPL before pursuing any treatment.
While IPL is considered extremely safe, it may cause side effects like discomfort, redness, or minor swelling in the treated area. You also may experience watery eyes and light sensitivity for a short time after treatment. However, these temporary symptoms will likely be gone within a few hours.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye develops due to a problem with your tear film; either the eyes can’t produce enough tears or aren’t producing high-quality tears. The tear film comprises three layers: the inner mucus layer, the middle aqueous layer, and the outer oil layer.
The oil layer makes up the tear film’s exterior and helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. These oils, made in the meibomian glands lining the eyelids, are crucial to keeping your eyes protected and safe. However, a blockage can sometimes develop in the meibomian glands, and the oils can’t reach the tear film.
Eventually, this may lead to your tears evaporating too quickly. This is called “meibomian gland dysfunction,” which can lead to “evaporative dry eye,” the most common type of dry eye. This condition often causes:
- A stinging or burning sensation in the eyes
- Pain and redness of the eye
- Blurry vision
- Watery eyes
Overall, dry eyes can be irritating and uncomfortable. However, there’s a solution at hand—IPL.
What Is IPL?
Intense pulsed light, or IPL, is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle pulses of specific light to target and treat certain areas of the body. For years, it was primarily used for dermatology until the benefits of its application to dry eye were discovered.
When these light pulses target the meibomian glands and the surrounding area, they help soften any trapped oils, helping them flow more freely to your tear film. This can restore the natural balance of your tears and allow them to protect the eye again, eventually reducing dry eye symptoms.
Is IPL Safe?
While IPL is considered extremely safe, there can still be potential side effects. However, it’s important to note that not everyone experiences these side effects, so your experience may vary.
The potential side effects of IPL include:
- Redness or swelling at the treatment site
- Mild discomfort or pain during the treatment
- Temporary changes in skin pigmentation
- Blurry vision or heightened light sensitivity
Most of these side effects are mild and usually resolve on their own within a few hours to a few days. Following any post-treatment recommendations from your optometrist is essential to minimize the risks. However, if your side effects stay for longer than a few days, contact your optometrist to discuss solutions.
What to Expect from Your IPL Treatment
When you visit your optometrist to discuss dry eye treatment, they’ll begin by thoroughly examining your eyes and your tear film. This lets them properly understand the underlying cause of your dry eyes so they can make a treatment plan.
Before the Treatment
If your optometrist thinks IPL could be the solution to your dry eyes, they’ll briefly explain the treatment. Then, once your appointment begins, they’ll prepare you for IPL.
This may include:
- Applying a layer of cooling gel to the treatment area to help protect the skin and enhance the effectiveness of the light pulses.
- Providing you with eye shields to wear during the procedure to protect your eyes from the intense light.
- Adjusting the IPL device settings according to the specifics of your condition and your skin’s sensitivity.
Once these preparations are complete, the treatment can begin.
During the Treatment
During IPL treatment, you’ll be seated in a comfortable chair. Then, your optometrist will place the IPL device gently against your eyelids. They’ll then deliver a series of gentle light pulses to the treatment areas.
Each pulse may feel odd at first, but you’ll likely adjust. The pulses of light will stimulate the meibomian glands to release trapped or blocked oils. The procedure usually takes around 20 minutes for both eyes.
After the Treatment
Post-treatment, you might have watery eyes and mild light sensitivity, which will likely disappear quickly. You may also notice temporary redness or swelling, but this, too, is temporary. You’ll also receive aftercare instructions to help manage any discomfort and promote healing, like avoiding eye makeup or similar products for a few days.
Should You Try IPL for Dry Eye?
If you have dry eyes and are considering IPL for treatment, talk to our team at Eyesmate Vision Care. We can examine your eyes and tear film to determine whether or not IPL is right for you, and we’ll answer any questions you may have. Don’t live with dry eye discomfort—book an appointment with our team!
