Revitalize Your Eyes with IPL Therapy at American Eyecare
IPL therapy offers a noninvasive and effective way to treat dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and ocular rosacea. By improving oil production, reducing inflammation, and stimulating collagen production, IPL can provide long-lasting relief from symptoms and improve overall eye health.
If you experience these conditions, consider consulting with an eye doctor to see if IPL therapy is right for you.
At American Eyecare, we offer IPL therapy as part of our comprehensive eye care services. Our experienced team works with you to create a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs.
What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a light therapy that has long been used in treatment of various skin conditions, such as rosacea, sun damage, and acne. Studies have shown that it also helps treat moderate-to-severe chronic dry eye disease and MGD. It works by heating the Meibomian glands and liquifying the oils, reducing the inflammation and redness associated with rosacea and blepharitis, and eliminating harmful bacteria and mites that often live on the eyelids and eyelashes.
What are IPL treatments like?
Eye shields are placed to protect the eyes. A thin layer of cooling gel is applied to the treatment area, and a handpiece attached to the light system is used to deliver the pulses of light. As the pulses of light are administered, patients will experience a slight tingling or snapping sensation. The area treated may appear flushed and red for a short period of time after the treatment. After the IPL light treatment is complete, the oil from the glands can be manually expressed to restore normal oil flow in the tear film.
How does it work?
IPL uses high-energy calibrated pulses of light in a series of flashes around the eyes. Intense Pulsed Light has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-metabolic properties. This results in making the cells it treats more active and stimulates the mitochondria, so the cells function and perform better. This addresses the inflammatory nature of chalazia – In simple terms, the light energy travels to the meibomian to soften the lesion, unclogging the gland and helping the affected meibomian glands function better. The treatment usually involves a series of 3 or typically 4 sessions for optimal results. The affected eyelid is treated as the risk of having future styes and chalazia is higher when a patient presents with one chalazion. Not only does the light energy help to treat the existing chalazia but will help prevent other chalazia from forming and improve the comfort of the eyes.
How many treatments are needed?
Although many patients notice improvement in dry eye symptoms after their first or second treatment, an initial series of four IPL treatments, performed once a month over the course of two months, is recommended. This initial treatment series is designed to help with long-term success in treating both chronic dry eye disease and MGD. After the initial series of IPL treatments, maintenance treatments may be provided 1 to 2 times per year, depending on the severity of the condition.
What is the recovery after treatment?
There is no recovery time after IPL treatment. Patients may return to normal activities immediately after treatment. The use of sunblock is recommended on the treated areas, as well as sunglasses.
Who is a candidate for IPL treatment?
Many common therapies for dry eye disease, MGD, and blepharitis – such as artificial tears, hot compresses, and eyelid scrubs – focus on temporarily relieving symptoms instead of on treating the root cause of the condition. IPL treatment is designed to address MGD and blepharitis by stimulating healthy gland function and reducing eyelid inflammation. This focused treatment not only offers symptom relief, but also slows the progression of chronic dry eye disease.
CHALAZION
A chalazion usually occurs after a stye. It is due to the oil in the meibomian glands hardening during the active inflammation, leading to a hard lump on the upper or lower eyelids. This is not an active infection but rather a sterile inflammation and therefore it is not painful or tender to the touch. This lump can be small or can be quite large and noticeable cosmetically. Patients are often self-conscious of a chalazion and want it removed.
Traditional methods of treating chalazion involve warm compresses, antibiotics, steroid injections, or in severe cases, surgical drainage. However, the emergence of technologies like IPL has opened up new horizons for a quicker, safer and more efficient recovery.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) is a safe and effective alternative to more invasive surgical treatments. IPL are also commonly used as an advanced treatment of chronic dry eyes. It is this similar method of action that helps both in the treatment of dry eyes and chalazia.
IPL/LLLT Packages
Package 1, $450
- Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT): (8) – 15 minute weekly treatments
Package 2, $650
- Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Therapy: (4) biweekly treatments
Package 3, $850
- Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Therapy: (4) biweekly treatments, combined with 10 minute LLLT treatment immediately following IPL therapy.
- *If you would like to retreat your Dry Eye condition within 6 months of your initial treatment date, you may repurchase your original treatment package at 50% off the current retail price. After 6 months, full package prices will apply.
Chalazion Treatment, $250
- IPL Therapy: (3) biweekly treatments, combined with 10 minute LLLT immediately following IPL therapy.
Pigmentation Treatment, $75
- IPL Therapy performed on a per treatment basis to treat sun spots in the upper face region.
Brow Treatment, $75
- IPL Therapy performed on a per treatment basis to remove hair between the brows.
