Taking care of our overall health and wellness includes investing in treatments that offer long-term relief from chronic conditions.
IPL therapy is a popular treatment option for those experiencing intermittent or persistent dry eye symptoms. While the cost for this procedure varies, at Danville Optometric Group, the overall cost of this treatment averages about $2,000 for (4-5) sessions.
Despite the initial expense, investing in Lumenis is well worth the cost. Unlike temporary solutions, IPL addresses the root cause of dryness, offering long-term relief from dry eye symptoms that other traditional treatment plans cannot achieve.
What is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is a popular treatment known for its use in dermatology to improve the appearance of skin. Over time, the technology was adapted for use in reducing dry eye symptoms.
Nowadays, IPL is a popular non-invasive, advanced dry eye therapy option. It relieves dry eye symptoms while offering patients the added benefits of enhanced skin.
IPL therapy works by delivering controlled pulses of intense light to targeted areas around the eyes, reducing dry eye symptoms while targeting one of the condition’s underlying causes: meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
MGD is one of the most common causes of evaporative dry eye. It develops when oil glands along the eyelid, known as meibomian glands, become blocked or produce poor-quality oil.
These glands secrete the oily layer of the tear film, which is necessary for preventing rapid evaporation of tears from the eye’s surface. When MGD occurs, this protective layer is compromised, resulting in persistent dry eye symptoms.
Understanding Lumenis Laser Treatment
The Lumenis Laser by OptiLight is the only FDA approved Dry Eye treatment in the United States. OptiLight offers dry eye management using IPL therapy.
Dry eye treatment with Lumenis involves placing the tool near the eyelid and surrounding skin. The device then emits pulses of light into the eyelids, addressing inflammation and targeting the meibomian glands.
During treatment, short bursts of light generate heat to gently melt and unclog any debris, improving the meibomian glands’ function and promoting a stable tear film.
What Results Can You Expect?
Patients should have realistic expectations going into treatment and should be committed to completing their recommended session for ideal results.
After the first treatment, some people notice fewer dry eye symptoms. However, it generally takes about four sessions to notice significant changes.
After undergoing IPL, wearing contact lenses can become more comfortable because of improved meibomian gland function. Increased tear stability helps retain moisture on the eye’s surface, reducing dryness and irritation that long-term contact lens wear can cause.
Even if the main focus of this treatment is to improve dry eye symptoms, patients can experience improvement in the appearance of their skin, such as reduced fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and sun damage. Vision often improves and remains more consistent as long as the inflammation remains reduced.
This is because, as IPL helps unclog debris in meibomian glands, the controlled heat produced by the procedure penetrates the layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and reducing inflammation in blood vessels. This promotes an even skin tone by reducing redness and hyperpigmentation.
What Does This Treatment Cost?
The cost for this treatment varies between clinics and practitioners.
Depending on the number of sessions, Lumenis treatment often costs between $1,600 to $2,500. Our team at Danville Optometric Groups charges approximately $2,000 for four dry eye sessions (varies slightly based on severity of condition) scheduled every 2-3 weeks apart.
Finances shouldn’t be a severe barrier to health management. That’s why we work with our patients to devise a payment plan so they can experience the benefits and relief from IPL therapy without breaking the bank.
As for insurance coverage, unfortunately no plan currently covers expenses related to this treatment. This is because IPL therapy is considered a cosmetic procedure and not deemed medically necessary, even when the intended purpose is for dry eye relief.
Despite the initial expense, investing in Lumenis laser treatment for dry eyes is well worth the cost of the long-term relief it provides. Unlike temporary solutions like artificial tears, IPL addresses the root cause of dry eyes by targeting and improving meibomian glands.
Is This Treatment Right for You?
While the benefits of Lumenis laser treatment for dry eye relief are immense, it’s not suitable for everyone.
The ideal candidate for this therapy is someone who experiences chronic dry eye symptoms and has not found relief from conventional treatments like artificial tears or prescription eye drops.
Those with MGD are particularly suited for this therapy, as it’s designed to target glands responsible for oil production in the tear film.
What to Expect During Your Lumenis Laser Session
Before your first session, an initial consultation will help determine your candidacy and allow your optometrist to develop a plan for the length of your treatment and frequency of your sessions based on the severity of your dryness.
This consultation offers a personalized approach to care, addressing specific concerns or questions patients may have concerning their treatment.
At each IPL session, a cooling gel is generously applied to the skin surrounding the eyes. This protects the skin, provides comfort, and encourages light penetration to the targeted areas. Patients are also provided with goggles to safeguard their eyes from the device’s light.
The device is applied to the skin to deliver controlled pulses of light, strategically directed around the areas of the eyelids and along the skin. Each pulse is brief, lasting milliseconds. Patients often experience a warm sensation.
An IPL session is quick, typically lasting around 10 to 15 minutes. The non-invasive nature of the treatment means there’s relatively no downtime, so you’re free to continue with daily activities.
It’s normal to experience slight redness and warm skin after the session. To keep your skin protected and reduce irritation, apply eye drops as needed and use sun protection.
Schedule a “Free Consult”
By choosing Lumenis laser therapy, patients invest in immediate relief from dry eye symptoms and experience long-lasting improvements in eye comfort and lifestyle quality.
Connect with our team at Danville Optometric Group to schedule an appointment for your IPL therapy consultation.
