IPL treatment for Dry Eye Disease is very simple, taking about 10 minutes per session. If you are unfamiliar with IPL treatment for Dry Eye Disease, please read the prior blog before continuing here. Before your first treatment, we will send you our IPL Packet, which will include a Dry Eye questionnaire, a consent form, and pre and post-treatment instructions. Starting 2 weeks before, you must avoid prolonged, unprotected sun exposure. This means it is ok being outside, but make sure you are wearing a hat and good quality sun screen. The goal is to avoid any sun burn or suntan prior to treatment. 

When you arrive for your first treatment, we will collect the IPL Packet, answer any of your questions, and prep you for the treatment. This entails removing any and all make-up or face lotion before applying protective stickers over your eyelids. We will then apply ultrasound gel to the treatment zone, which consists of the lateral side of your brow, your upper cheek area and your nose. We do not need to directly pulse the eyelids, as the skin is too thin here and the energy radiates upwards from the light pulse to treat your meibomian glands. 

What is the feeling during IPL treatment?

As we begin treatment, you may feel slight discomfort with each pulse, similar to a mild rubber band snap at worst or a tingle of your skin at best. We perform 6-7 treatments per each side of the face. Once completed, we will remove the gel and the eye stickers, and apply high quality sunscreen to your face. It is important that you avoid any sun burn or sun tan for the 2 weeks following each treatment.

At Peak Eyecare, we perform 4 treatment sessions, each separated by 3-4 weeks. Our goal in IPL therapy is to reduced your symptoms of irritated, scratchy, red, or dry eyes, and to decrease your dependence on artificial tears. From my experience, I expect you to notice improvement around the 3rd treatment. 

If you have any questions about IPL treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact our office for more information. Nothing gives our team more satisfaction than finding solutions for our patients struggling with Dry Eye Disease.