Dry eye can appear at any age and has many causes. Tears may evaporate quickly rather than moisten the eyes or clogged oil glands interfere with natural lubrication. Beyond discomfort, chronic dry eye becomes a quality-of-life concern that affects reading, working, driving and enjoy favorite activities.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy is a non-invasive, light-based treatment that can help calm inflammation, control bacteria and loosen buildup inside the eye glands. Learn more about how IPL works and who could be a candidate.
Common Causes of Dry Eyes
The most common cause of dry eye syndrome is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), a condition where the glands lining the eyelid become clogged or inflamed. As a result, the eyes stop generating the oils needed to retain moisture. For MGD-related dry eye, IPL can:
- Reduce inflammation that destabilizes the tear film
- Warm the tissues to soften thickened meibum
- Slow tear evaporation for greater comfort
Other causes of chronic dry eye include:
- Infections: Bacteria, fungi and viruses invade the lining of the eye and its glands, resulting in swelling, redness and dryness.
- Autoimmune Diseases: People with Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease are more prone to dry eyes. Conditions that affect how people blink, like Parkinson’s disease, also alter how the eyes stay moist.
- Medications: Antihistamines, birth control, antidepressants, hormone replacement therapy and high blood pressure medications often list dry eyes as a side effect.
- Nerve De-sensitivity: May develop after laser eye surgery or years of wearing contact lenses.
- Lifestyle Habits: People who stare at a screen, spend extensive time outdoors, read documents for hours without a break or participate in other concentration-heavy tasks may have dry eyes.
- Age and Hormones: Tear production decreases as we age. Women in particular tend to notice dry eyes when they become pregnant or begin menopause.
- Environmental Issues: Regular exposure to smoke and wind may affect how well the eyes naturally produce tears.
- Inflammation: In addition to MGD, inflamed eyelids are a symptom of blepharitis. Ignoring this symptom may stop oil production, contributing to chronically dry eyes.
IPL for Dry Eyes
IPL is a skin rejuvenation treatment applied to the skin of the cheeks and nose near the eyelids – not the eyes themselves. Protective eyewear is always used when the controlled beam of light is emitted toward a small patch of skin. The light is absorbed, stimulating collagen production and the body’s natural healing response.
Around the eyes, IPL reduces inflammation, helps destroy bacteria contributing to irritation and swelling, and encourages oil production. In the process:
- IPL helps close off enlarged blood vessels that may irritate the eyes
- Hardened oil plugs start to liquify and may release on their own
- After blockages are expelled from the glands, normal tear production resumes
- The tear film now has a steady supply of moisture
Unlike drops, IPL helps:
- Address the root cause of dry eye syndrome
- Control the effects of inflammation
- Naturally restore tear production
- Deliver long-lasting results with little to no downtime
Are You a Candidate for IPL?
IPL may help manage dry eye syndrome if your eyes:
- Have developed a burning, stinging or itching sensation
- Appear red, swollen and inflamed
- Feel like something is stuck underneath the lid or inside a corner
- Have not responded well to artificial tears or require frequent applications
- Have not responded well to medication
- Periodically blur or are sensitive to light
However, IPL will not be the right treatment for dry eye syndrome if you have an active eye infection or aqueous-deficient dry eyes. Due to pigmentation and scarring concerns, IPL is also not recommended for patients with darker skin tones.
What to Expect During IPL Therapy
During your initial consultation, we’ll assess your eyes and test your tear evaporation. Once it’s determined you are a good candidate for IPL, areas around the eyelids will be safely targeted to activate the meibomian glands, minimize inflammation and target bacteria.
After your session, some redness can be expected but will subside after a few hours. The area may also feel sensitive and your vision may blur temporarily. However, you are safe to resume your daily activities following IPL. A series of three to four sessions may be needed, spaced three to four weeks apart, to help unclog all glands and restore normal oil production.
Vein Centers of Connecticut performs IPL treatments with the Stellar M22™, a device known for precise, consistent, customizable and safe energy delivery. To schedule a consultation, contact us today.