Dry eye is a condition that affects more than 16 million adults in the United States. Although there are often symptoms like burning eyes, irritation, and redness, many people may remain undiagnosed.
While over-the-counter eye drops and artificial tears can help alleviate mild dry eye symptoms, chronic dry eyes can affect your quality of life. Eye exams play an important role in diagnosing vision problems and conditions, such as dry eyes, early.
With technologies offered at our dry eye center, like OptiLight, you can find relief from symptoms of discomfort. The OptiLight treatment was approved by the FDA in 2021.
Dry eyes can be caused by many factors, including reduced tear production and quality. OptiLight can help relieve dry eye symptoms by addressing the underlying cause of inflammation.
Understanding Dry Eye Disease
Typically, tears spread across the front surface of your eyes every time you blink. They wash away foreign material, prevent infection, and lubricate the eye, all in an attempt to provide clear, comfortable vision.
Dry eyes can result from inadequate or poor-quality tears. There can be several causes for this:
- Age
- Gender
- Medications
- Environmental factors
- Long-term contact lens wear
- Eye surgery
- Medical conditions
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common cause of dry eye disease. The meibomian glands secrete the oily layer in the tear film. When there’s a problem with the glands or they become clogged, less oil may reach the tear film, which can cause tears to evaporate more quickly.
If left untreated, MGD can worsen dry eye symptoms and lead to inflammation.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
You may experience one or several of the symptoms of dry eye, including:
- A sandy or gritty feeling in the eyes
- Blurry vision
- Redness
- Stinging or burning
- Watery eyes
- Light sensitivity
When your eye doctor diagnoses the underlying cause of your dry eyes, they can recommend a treatment plan to help you achieve long-lasting relief from your symptoms.
What Is OptiLight & How Does It Work
OptiLight is a light-based treatment that uses broad-spectrum light to treat dry eye disease caused by MGD.
OptiLight works to address and reduce inflammation associated with MGD that can lead to dry eyes. It can relieve symptoms by:
- Improving tear break-up time
- Increasing meibomian gland functionality
- Improving oil (meibum) quality
- Reducing the number of bacteria living around the eyes
- Soothing blood vessels that contribute to inflammation
Before OptiLight Treatment
Your eye doctor may perform a complete assessment of your health, family history, and lifestyle before recommending OptiLight. You may be asked to avoid certain medications or products before your treatment.
On the day of your treatment, your eye doctor may recommend you:
- Remove contact lenses
- Arrive with a clean face
- Don’t wear makeup or lotions
During OptiLight Treatment
During your treatment, your eye doctor covers your eyes with shields to protect them and applies a coupling gel to the treatment area. You may experience a warm sensation as the light is applied to the skin below your eyes.
Often, patients feel minimal discomfort during their treatment, which can take less than 15 minutes. Your eye doctor may follow up with meibomian gland expression.
After OptiLight Treatment
Often, there is no downtime after your treatment, and once you receive care instructions and schedule follow-up treatments, you can return to normal activities. You may experience slight redness that should disappear in a few hours.
To protect your skin after treatment, avoid direct sunlight or UV exposure, apply sunscreen, and wear a hat and sunglasses.
Your eye doctor can determine a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms, which may include 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart are usually recommended. Many patients start noticing improvement in their symptoms after 2–3 sessions.
OptiLight may be used alongside other dry eye treatment therapies like the LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System and TearCare System.
Dry Eye Relief with OptiLight
There are many ways to treat and manage dry eye disease symptoms to provide comfort and lasting relief. OptiLight is effective because it addresses the sources of inflammation that lead to dry eye symptoms.
If you are interested in OptiLight, book an appointment with Golden Vision today. Our optometry team can work to diagnose the underlying cause of your dry eye symptoms and create a customized treatment plan to help you find relief.
