Low Level Light Therapy for dry eye

Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) and Blephasteam

Please allow 30-45 minutes for the procedure and do not wear make-up. 

Generally you will first undergo LLLT (Red Light Therapy) for 15 minutes. This will be followed by blephasteam (lasting 10 minutes) which involves wearing googles that produce a moist heat. The third step involves the optometrist manually expressing your meibomian glands. 

You eyes may feel irritated for a few hours after the procedure and sometimes you will be prescribed a mild anti-inflammatory eye drops. 

The procedure is most effective after undergoing 2-3 cycles a few weeks apart. The fee for each session is $80.

Intensive Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) and LLLT. 

How to Prepare for IRPL Treatment for Evaporative Dry Eye

Before IPL Treatment

● Remove all makeup and skin products on and around your eyes including the cheek area

● If you have facial hair, shave the treatment area (skin on your cheek) before your appointment

● Avoid too much sun or UV exposure the week prior to your appointment as much as you can. Youcannot be sunburnt for IRPL treatment.

● Pregnant women, diabetics, epilepsy, pacemakers to consult with your doctor before considering if IRPL treatment is suitable for you.

● Taking collagen injections, tanning injections, certain medications that increase photo-sensitivity, vitamin A, retinol, and doxycycline can affect your suitability for IPL treatment. Let the optometrist know before your appointment if you fall into any of these categories.

What to expect

Although each procedure can be performed seperately, combination IPL and LLLT has been found to have a synergistic effect on treating dry eye. Usually you will undergo LLLT for 15 minutes. This will be followed by IPL and sometimes manual meibomian gland expression. Please allow total 30-45 minutes. The inclusive fee for 4 sessions is $800 for IPL, or $1000 for IPL with LLLT. The first session is followed one week later and then 4 weeks later for subsequent sessions. 

Immediate IPL Aftercare

● Avoid too much sun exposure

● Apply sunscreen with SPF30+ or higher

● Use lubricant eye drops to supplement your tear film as per recommendation of your optometrist

● Do not exposure the treated area to UV light

● Avoid hot baths, showers, or saunas for one week after treatment to avoid irritation to the area