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Dry eye can be caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. They are located in the tissues of the eyelids and produce an oily substance that prevents the evaporation of tears.

When they are not working properly, tears are therefore not composed as they should and this leads to discomfort, a burning sensation, etc. Symptoms can be relieved with eye drops and/or ointments. However, if the drought is not treated, it can cause other problems that are sometimes irreversible.

 

What is IPL?

IPL (or LIP in French) stands for Intense Pulsed Light. Initially used in dermatology, its use in dry eye dates back to 2009.

This treatment has several beneficial effects:

• An anti-inflammatory effect;
• An anti-microbial effect;
• It liquefies the oil of the Meibomian glands;
• It eliminates the small abnormal blood vessels of ocular rosacea (which can also be responsible for dryness);
• It stimulates the production of collagen.

All of this helps relieve dry eye symptoms.

According to the studies carried out, this has improved the comfort of 80% of the patients treated.

 

Who is the treatment for?

Any patient experiencing symptoms of dry eye can perform a dry eye assessment to assess whether they are a candidate for treatment.

It is also recommended for people with a history of:

• Stye
• Blepharitis
• Chalazion
• Ocular rosacea
• Demodex

Contraindications: pregnancy, vitiligo, active cancer, photosensitizing drugs, immunosuppressive treatment, dark skin, cochlear implants, active herpes.

If you have any doubts, talk to your optometrist.

Course of a session

• Cleaning the area and protecting the eyes. The optometrist will install a shell to protect the eyes.
• Application of a thin layer of gel on the area to optimize the penetration of light into the skin.
• During the treatment IPL will be applied to the areas adjacent to the eyes and eyelids. This emits a slightly warm light flash.

The treatment is quick and can cause slight discomfort.

Depending on the intensity of the drought and the results obtained, it takes about 3 to 4 treatments spaced about 1 month apart for optimal effectiveness.

 

What is radio frequency treatment?

Radiofrequency treatment also improves the symptoms experienced by a person suffering from dry eye.

Here the machine emits heat on the eyelids, which warms the Meibomian glands and helps liquefy the oil they produce. This unclogs the glands and helps their flow to restore the oily layer that prevents tears from evaporating.

It is a quick, painless treatment and can be performed individually or in combination with IPL treatment, if the optometrist considers the patient to be a good candidate.

This treatment also has an aesthetic benefit. The skin is generally made firmer and there is a reduction in small wrinkles around the eyes.

 

What is LM® LLLT treatment?

It is a beneficial treatment and often complementary to IPL or radiofrequency. It uses photobiostimulation activated by LM® LLLT (Light Modulation Low-level Light Therapy), a type of near-infra-red light therapy.

In the form of masks, this treatment is very effective in managing a large number of ocular surface conditions such as meibomian gland dysfunction, inflammation of the facial skin or eyelids.

Completely painless, it is also quick because a treatment lasts on average 15 minutes.

It comes in different wavelengths.

 

The red light mask

It is used to reduce inflammation and stimulate the production of ATP (Adenosine TriphosPhate, an energy carrier molecule).

Some beneficial effects:

• Improves cell metabolism because increases ATP production.
• Reduces inflammation by regulating antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress.

Known use cases: chalazion, stye, Sjogren's syndrome, blepharitis, etc.

 

The blue light mask

It is used for bacteria elimination. They are killed by light in a process called "photodynamic inactivation".

Known use cases: demodex, blepharitis, rosacea, bacteria, etc.

 

To learn more : https://axismedical.ca/en/products/dry-eye/espansione/light-modulation-lllt-technology

 

Costs

Dry eye assessment: $150

IPL or radiofrequency treatment: $250 per treatment

Treatment with LLLT mask only: $125 per treatment

Treatment with IPL or radiofrequency combined with LLLT mask: $300 per treatment