Frustrated with your dry eyes, rosacea and/or styes? At Petrou Eye Care, we’re dedicated to providing our patients with the most up-to-date eye care. That’s why we’re excited to announce the addition of Pulsed Light (IPL) and Low Light (LLLT) Therapy to our treatment options!
WHAT CAUSES DRY EYE?
Dry eye is a condition affecting millions of people. It occurs when your eyes produce low quality tears, and/or an inadequate amount of tears. Familiar symptoms include: dryness & irritation, intermittent blurry vision, hordeola and chalazia, and light sensitivity. Common culprits include Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), blepharitis, excessive screen time, allergies and some medical conditions.
HOW DOES PULSE LIGHT (IPL) THERAPY WORK?
IPL is a non-surgical and non-invasive therapy that treats dry eye syndrome often caused by malfunctioning meibomian glands, which secrete oils to slow down the evaporation of tears. During treatment, a handheld device is used to emit pulses of light targeted at the meibomian glands. This process melts away stagnant secretions and allows the meibomian glands to produce more of the oils needed to slow down the evaporation of tears. Multiple sessions are typically prescribed, and the effects are cumulative.
HOW DOES LOW LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY (LLLT) WORK?
Low-level light treatment is a non-surgical and non-invasive therapy that uses specialized LEDs to increase tear production by reducing inflammation and stimulating cell activity, helping rejuvenate oil gland activity in the eyelids. A mask is placed over your clean face, and is completely painless. Multiple sessions are typically prescribed, and the effects are cumulative.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IPL & LLLT?
While IPL offers thermal-based effects, LLLT is athermal and has additive photobiomodulation (non-ionizing light to treat pain and inflammation) effects on the lids and around the eyes. IPL involves your eyes being protected by patches with pulses of light being administered by a medical professional, while a mask is worn during LLLT. It is not uncommon for your doctor to prescribe both treatments to achieve the best results.
ARE THE PROCEDURES PAINFUL?
IPL therapy is generally well-tolerated by patients, and LLLT therapy is painless. Our team takes every precaution possible to ensure that our patients are comfortable during both procedures. Patients will feel a temporary sensation during IPL treatments when the device emits pulses of light.
ARE THE PROCEDURES SAFE?
Light therapy is safe and FDA-approved.
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LIGHT THERAPY?
If you experience chronic dry eye symptoms that persist with a regular eye drops regimen, you may be a good candidate for IPL and/or LLLT treatments. Dr. Petrou will discuss your individual symptoms and medical history and determine if Light Therapy is right for you.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FOLLOWING LIGHT THERAPY?
Following treatment, you will be able to resume your normal activities. You may experience some minor redness and inflammation. After your visit, please wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen to your face, including the skin around your eyes.
WHAT RESULTS SHOULD I EXPECT?
Most patients report improvement in their symptoms after their initial treatment and less dependence on artificial tears and other eye drops used to control dry eye. Clinical studies have found that symptoms continue to improve after each treatment, with maximum improvement typically occurring after the fourth treatment session. Unlike artificial tears that offer temporary relief, Light Therapy addresses the underlying causes of dry eye, offering months of comfort. Many patients notice less fine lines and wrinkles in the areas treated.
HOW MANY TREATMENT SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
The number of treatment sessions you will need depends on the severity of your case. Most patients require four to six treatment sessions, followed by annual/biannual touch ups. If you require more than one treatment, we offer Bundle pricing on some services.
HOW MUCH ARE LIGHT THERAPY TREATMENTS?
Petrou Eye Care provides Medical Grade Light Therapy Treatments for dry eye and ocular surface conditions of ocular rosacea, demodex blepharitis, meibomian gland disease, and more, beginning at $200. Medical insurance can be used for all doctor consultations, and we offer bundle discount packages for those needing more than one visit. You may use your FSA and HSA funds to pay for medically-related light therapy treatments. Spas may offer IPL services to improve facial skin appearance with much higher costs and they encourage tipping. The medical professionals at Petrou Eye Care do not accept tipping and only provide high quality, result-driven IPL and Low level Light Therapy for long term eye health and ocular comfort benefits.
Ready to experience dry eye relief? Contact Petrou Eye Care today to schedule an office visit and learn more about how Light Therapy treatments can help you find lasting relief from dry eyes.
*IPL and LLLT Technology is intended for the external dermatological and periocular treatment of moderate inflammation from dry eye disease, meibomian gland deficiency, superficial vascularization, benign pigmented lesions, periocular wrinkles and rhytides (fine lines).
For more information on Light Therapy, go to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8149274/