Living with chronic dry eyes can make it difficult to perform many daily tasks, from reading to working on a computer to driving. If you still have severe dry eye after consistently using eye drops, it might be time to consider intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. At Family Eye Care, our dry eye specialists in Bristol, Connecticut offer this innovative treatment (along with radiofrequency treatment) to bring you lasting relief.
What is IPL therapy?
IPL therapy is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses light pulses to target the areas around your eyes. It helps reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and stimulate the meibomian glands, which produce the oily layer of your tears. When these glands function properly, they help maintain eye hydration by preventing rapid tear evaporation.
IPL therapy doesn’t just provide temporary relief—it addresses the underlying issues that cause dry eyes. Many traditional treatments, like eye drops, mainly focus on alleviating symptoms by adding moisture to the eyes. However, they don’t treat the root causes of dry eye, such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). IPL therapy not only eases your symptoms but also improves the overall quality and stability of your tears, providing a more comprehensive and lasting solution to dry eye problems.
Is IPL therapy safe?
Absolutely! IPL therapy is completely safe when performed by trained professionals, such as our eye doctors at Family Eye Care. The procedure is painless, with most patients experiencing only a mild warming sensation during treatment. Minor side effects, such as slight redness or warmth in the treated area, can occur, but they typically subside within hours.
What to expect during IPL treatment
During treatment, we’ll apply a cooling gel to your skin and then use the IPL device to deliver gentle pulses of light around your eyes. Additionally, we use radiofrequency technology, which further enhances the treatment by stimulating collagen production and promoting better gland function. A nice bonus of IPL therapy is that it can also help with certain skin issues, such as uneven skin tone, rosacea, and sunspots. After treatment, you can get right back to your daily routine. While some people notice improvements after just a session or two, we often recommend a series of treatments for the best results.
If you think IPL therapy could help with your dry eye symptoms, please give us a call today or request an appointment online.