Finally, a new effective treatment for dry eye sufferers in Shropshire
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment is a drug free and drop free natural light-based treatment, which targets the root causes of dry eye – chronic inflammation. This is an exciting new treatment pathway towards ongoing relief from your Dry Eye. Imagine the freedom from frequent, routine use of moisturising eye drops!
Why IPL Treatment
There are many common treatments for dry eye – such as artificial tears, hot compresses, and eyelid wipes. The treatments generally help to relieve symptoms rather than treating the cause of the condition. IPL treatment for dry eyes actually treats Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) – the root cause of evaporative dry eye. Treating MGD will not only relieve symptoms, but it will also to slow the progression of chronic dry eye.
If you’ve had limited relief with drops, warm compresses of lid wipes, then IPL treatment may be a better solution for you.
FAQ
IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light. It is a treatment for evaporative dry eye related to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and ocular rosacea.
A number of mechanisms explain how IPL treats dry eye.
- Closing down of abnormal blood vessels: ocular rosacea is a common cause of MGD. Here, dilated (widened) abnormal blood vessels develop around the eyelid and eyelid margin. These vessels release chemicals that induce inflammation of the meibomian glands which cause blockages and eventual destruction of the glands. The energy from the intense pulse of light destroys these abnormal vessels, as the result the source of inflammation is removed.
- Heating the oils in the meibomian gland: the energy fo the IPL causes an increase in skin temperature causing the oils in the glands to melt. This, in turn, helps to unlock the meibomian glands.
- IPL changes the cells within the glands: It has been proposed that IPL may change the cells that produce oil with the gland to prevent them from clogging up.
- IPL increases collagen production, therefore, improving the structure of the eyelids.
- IPL eradicates Demodex: IPL energy is absorbed by the Demodex mite causing its destruction. Demodex is often found in MGD and is thought to be a cause of MGD.
- IPL is thought to suppress proteins responsible for inflammation.
Generally, up to 4 treatments are required separated by a minimum of 2 weeks.
There is no cure for MGD. Warm compresses are still advised and only one session of IPL treatment is required every year.
IPL treatment takes around 15 minutes. However, we also perform a low light heat treatment to warm the oils in the lid for another 15 minutes.
Each IPL treatment costs £250.
- Don’t have treatment if you’ve used tanning beds 3-4 weeks before to treatment.
- No use of isotretinoin within the last year
- Manufacturers suggest avoiding treatment during pregnancy
- History of cancer in the area of treatment
- Active cold sores or herpes simplex or herpes zoster virus
- History of keloids
- History of metal plates, rods or screws in the area
- Use of any photosensitive medications or herbal supplements, oral antibiotics
- Psoriasis, vitiligo or warts, lupus or connective tissue disorder
- Avoid Botox and dermal fillers for 1 week prior to treatment and 2 weeks after treatment
- Fitzgerald skin type five or above (darker skin has the risk of depigmentation).
- temporary erythema (redness),
- temporary itching and oedema (swelling),
- temporary hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation (lightening or darkening of the skin in the treated area).
- No!
- Research shows that there is significant variation in the energy output from different IPL devices.
- The Eye-Lite is manufactured by Topcon, one of the world leading medical instrument manufacturers.
How Does IPL Work?
How does IPL work and what can it treat?
It works by generating a gentle and effective pulse of light through the layers of the skin to treat periocular surface conditions, blood vessels and inflammation to treat amongst others:
- Dry Eye Disease
- Heavy, Tired, Itchy, Red Eyes
- Rosacea (red nose, cheeks, chin after certain exposure)
- Telangiectasia (spider veins on the surface of the skin)
- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
- Eyelid Inflammation
- Blepharitis, including Demodex
- Additional benefit of tightening the skin around the eyes and may reduce wrinkles!
- Eye wellness-yours eyes will just feel better
These conditions are often inter-related. In fact, 80% of rosacea patients suffer from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
IPL Therapy is a ‘Bottom-Up’ rather than a ‘Top-Down’ innovation that targets treatment right at the root of the problem yielding simple, safe, and most-importantly effective results.
– The abnormal blood vessels in the inflamed lid margin are thrombosed as the IPL light coagulates the oxy-haemoglobin flowing through them. This stops the vessels releasing inflammatory mediators into the meibomian glands in the lid margin.
– Improved nerve function around the meibomian glands
– The IPL flash heats up and melts the meibum secretions blocking the glands, improving the tear lipids and reducing evaporation
– Demodex mites living in the meibomian glands are destroyed (a chromophore in the exoskeleton of the mite absorbs IPL energy). By eradicating Demodex, IPL reduces the consequent bacterial load on the eyelids, which in turn reduces chronic inflammation and the conversion of normal melting point meibum to high melting point lipid, thereby improving the fluidity of the lipids secreted and the quality of the lipid layer.
– Skin tightening – as we age, the collagen and elastin fibres relax, reducing skin rigidity and elasticity. IPL stimulates the fibroblasts and up-regulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin fibres
How Quickly Does it Work?
Most patients notice an improvement only a few hours after the first treatment. However, depending on the severity of the condition, up to four treatments may be required separated by 2-3 weeks. After the third or fourth treatment, further treatments will not be required for up to a year. Generally, patients require one top-up treatment annually.