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Dry eye disease is a widespread and 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. 

Despite these constant detrimental effects on quality of life, many dry eye sufferers are not aware that they’re suffering from dry eye disease or that real treatments exist. Instead, they just live with the discomfort.

At Eyecare Specialties, we have a team dedicated to improving your quality of life. If you suffer from dry eyes, we can determine the cause of your problems using the latest technology available. We can recommend a customized treatment plan designed to relieve your dry eye symptoms. 

We’re proud to offer OptiLight by Lumenis to our patients, specially designed for dry eye management.

Dry Eye Disease vs. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) 

For your eyes to stay healthy and clean several components of a complex system need to cooperate. Of these components are the meibomian glands, which line your eyelid margins and produce an oily substance called meibum. This oil, along with water and mucus, create your tears, which are essential for keeping your eyes nourished, lubricated, and free of debris. When your meibomian glands develop blockages or cannot produce sufficient oil, you may develop meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). 

Dry eye disease and MGD are often grouped together because they cause similar symptoms, like redness, dryness, and the feeling that there’s a piece of dust stuck in your eye. But Having dry eyes and the associated symptoms does not always signify dry eye disease. 

At Eyecare Specialities, we can treat patients with MGD even if they do not exhibit symptoms of dry eye disease. 

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 application can significantly relieve dry eye indicators and has a multi-factorial effect, 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

Preparing for your procedure is straightforward, but you will have to avoid certain things. In the time leading up to your treatment, avoid sun exposure and photosensitive medications like certain antidepressants, antihistamines, and antibiotics. 

On the day of your appointment, ensure you arrive wearing no makeup or other substances like lotion on your face. 

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.

After Your Treatment

While OptiLight treatment is safe, ensure you follow your doctor's aftercare instructions carefully. Avoid excessive sun exposure (including tanning) for up to one month after your treatment. Apply 30–50 SPF sunblock daily to protect the treatment area. 

Do not rub, pick, or scratch at your affected skin. On the first night following treatment, avoid hot water and cleanse your skin gently before applying a moisturizer. 

You may experience side effects from this treatment, such as discomfort, skin redness, and edema. These adverse effects should resolve within 24 to 48 hours after treatment.

Part of Your Custom Treatment Plan

A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart. This procedure is a part of your customized treatment plan. If OptiLight is not ideal for your needs, your doctor can recommend other treatments, including: 

• LipiFlow

• BlephEx

• Meibomian gland expression 

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 Eyecare Specialties to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Contact Eyecare Specialties in Craig or Steamboat Springs if you have dry eye symptoms. We can help you find relief.