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If you suffer from daily discomfort due to dry eyes, you are not alone. Dry Eye disease is a common issue for up to 49 million Americans. This chronic condition can have a significant impact on your quality of life, causing a foreign body sensation in your eyes, pain, blurry vision, and dry or watery eyes. Untreated, it can even lead to further eye health complications.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you’ll be happy to learn that there are new effective treatments to give you relief. Our practice at Key-Whitman Eye Center is experienced in treating dry eye symptoms using modern, innovative technology. We’ve helped many patients overcome the discomfort of chronic dry eye symptoms.
As part of our dry eye package of services, we’re pleased to offer OptiLight by Lumenis, which is specially designed for dry eye management.
What Is OptiLight by Lumenis?
OptiLight by Lumenis is a light-based, non-invasive treatment done in the area below the eyes to manage dry eye. The first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.
The treatment is safe, gentle, and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.
How Does It Work?
OptiLight uses precise pulses of light to reduce the inflammation that is typically associated with dry eye disease, improve tear break-up time, and increase meibomian gland functionality.
This treatment can significantly relieve dry eye symptoms and has a number of important benefits, including:
- Increasing tear break-up time
- Reducing the amount of demodex mites and bacteria living around your eyes
- Eliminating blood vessels that contribute to inflammation
- Improving meibomian gland functionality
What to Expect
Before Your Treatment
After diagnosing your dry eye by assessing your tear production and quality, your doctor will develop a comprehensive treatment plan for you, which may include OptiLight.
When you arrive for your OptiLight treatment, make sure you arrive makeup-free. Your doctor will clean your face before treatment, so coming with a clear face makes it easier to start your treatment.
During Your Treatment
This treatment is fast and simple. During the treatment your doctor will apply a coupling gel on the treatment area and cover your eyes with shields.
As light is applied to the skin, you may experience a warm sensation. The treatment is gentle with minimum discomfort. The treatment itself will only take 10–15 minutes.
OptiLight is often followed by meibomian gland expression.
After Your Treatment
Your skin will be sensitive after treatment. You may feel a burning sensation and notice a slight discoloration of the treatment area in the days following treatment. Your doctor will recommend avoiding harsh cleansers for 3 days following treatment. Make sure you use SPF-30 or higher-rated sunscreen on your face when you go outside.
Part of Your Custom Treatment Plan
A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart.
Relief for dry eye symptoms starts with understanding your unique lifestyle and vision needs. Your doctor at Key-Whitman Eye Center has the training and experience to develop a personalized treatment plan with the goal of ending your dry eye discomfort.
What Is The Best Treatment For My Dry Eyes?
That can differ from person to person because it depends on which factors are causing your dry eye symptoms. That’s why Key-Whitman offers a range of treatments, including:
- OptiLight
- Specialized artificial tears
- Supplements specifically formulated for dry eye symptoms
- Heat masks for daily at-home dry eye therapy
- Lid scrubs for daily at-home cleansing
- Prescription eye drops
- Lipiflow treatments
The first step to reducing the discomfort of dry eyes is to come in to get an assessment of your condition. Once Key-Whitman doctors identify the source of your dry eye, they can recommend specific therapies or a package of treatments to address your individual needs.
Will the OptiLight by Lumenis Work for Me?
While OptiLight by Lumenis is an effective dry eye management solution, we want to make sure it’s right for you. We do not recommend this treatment if you:
- Suffer from aqueous deficiency dry eye (rather than evaporative dry eye or meibomian gland dysfunction)
- Have a history of keloid scarring
- Have severe scarring around your eyes
Ultimately, your doctor is the only person who can determine whether this option is right for you. During your next appointment, ask us if you are a good candidate for OptiLight by Lumenis.
You Don’t Have to Live With Dry Eye Anymore
Dry, irritated eyes can be managed with a new treatment that brings comfort and can restore quality of life. Visit your eye doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
