What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Eye Therapy?
Intense Pulsed Light eye therapy, or IPL, is a Health Canada approved treatment for patients with dry eye, blepharitis and ocular rosacea. This treatment can also decrease the presence of mites (demodex) or bacteria around the eyelids.
Benefits
- Decrease in dry eye symptoms and ocular rosacea
- Reduces abnormal blood vessels to ease inflammation
- Safe and quick in-office procedure
- Same day recovery, slight redness for up to an hour
- Tailored treatment to your specific needs
Traditionally used as a treatment in Dermatology, IPL also has several aesthetic benefits including decreasing redness, sun spots and hyperpigmentation.
Who is it for?
Patients suffering from dry eye, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid) or those with ocular rosacea can benefit from this high-efficiency treatment built specifically to reduce treatment time. IPL can also be used to treat styes and chalazions and well as control or eradicate Demodex.
How does it work?
We use an IPL technology called Lumecca, which is an attachment used with our in-office InMode device. The Lumecca wand delivers intense pulsed light treatment that has been approved by Health Canada as an effective treatment for dry eye, blepharitis and ocular rosacea. The light reduces inflammation, targets hyperpigmentation (sun spots, sun damage, severe rosacea) and improves complexion.
IPL technology works in the treatment of dry eye by stimulating the facial tissue through controlled light pulses that target blood vessels and pigmented lesions. This results in a significant reduction of inflammatory levels along the eyelid margin. The Lumecca light energy, wavelengths, pulsed rate and duration can be adjusted to meet the severity of each patient’s dry eye symptoms.
What to expect
Your ocular hygienist will first prepare you by cleansing the eyelids using ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) to remove any debris or buildup. If an ocular shield is required, your optometrist will place a mild anesthetic drop in your eye before inserting protective eye shields. Your ocular hygienist will apply ultrasound gel to your face and eyelids. When the procedure begins, you will then feel a mild sensation that feels like a warm rubber band each time the light is triggered. The treatment should last 5 minutes.
You can expect to see results in 2-4 treatments. Some side effects may include redness and mild irritation and swelling. A broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen must be worn after, between and throughout the duration of treatment.