IPL: Intense Pulsed Light for dry eye treatment

IPL: Intense Pulsed Light is the technology with high intensity pulsed light for therapeutic application for Dry Eye Syndrome. It is a completely painless treatment that we perform in our office without the need to enter the operating room. It is performed in 3 or 4 sessions, of about 15-20 minutes duration, scheduled at a defined time interval. In most cases the improvement is progressive, and in less than a month the patient notices a relief of the dryness symptoms.

Indications for the IPL patient

• Do not expose yourself to the sun or UVA rays and do not apply self-tanning products for 2 weeks before the treatment.
• If you are taking photosensitizing drugs such as tetracycline statics or for prostatic hypertrophy, you should inform your doctor in order to follow the pertinent indications.
• Do not perform physical, chemical or enzymatic peels prior to or during the period of treatment with light technology.
• If you are taking medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants, antibiotics and antihistamines, you should notify your doctor.
• If you wear contact lenses, you should remove them before starting the treatment.

After IPL treatment

Slight redness may appear after an IPL procedure. Therefore, we recommend the use of moisturizing cream and sun protection, both on the day of treatment and at least 3 days after treatment.

In addition, it is recommended that no other cosmetic medical interventions be performed on the treated area (and in general on the entire face) for the duration of the treatment cycle.

Finally, we suggest the patient to wear sunglasses for at least 15 days after the session.

Benefits of IPL: Intense Pulsed Light Treatment

• Improves the quality of the tear film and maintains the stability of the secretion.
• It is a very safe option: it has no side effects or complications.
• It is a long-term solution that improves the patient’s quality of life.
• IPL treatment prior to refractive or cataract surgery can be decisive for the success of the intervention, especially when multifocal intraocular lenses are implanted.

Dry eye syndrome, the most common ophthalmologic pathology

There are different types of dry eye, so it is important to determine it correctly through a thorough ophthalmological examination and specific diagnostic tests for an effective, tailor-made treatment.

In most cases, dry eye is usually linked to a dysfunction of the Meibornian glands (evaporative dry eye). These glands are responsible for providing a layer of grease over the tear that improves lubrication and prevents it from evaporating more easily. Patients with this dysfunction usually have obstructed and deteriorated glands and produce poorer tear quality. The origin of this disorder is usually related to hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation of surrounding tissues and microbial infections (bacteria or Dermodex mites).