Did you know that dry eye disease is so prevalent in the United States that between 10 and 30 percent of the population suffer from the condition? A dry eye occurs when your tears aren't working correctly, or your eyes don't produce enough tears to keep them moist. It's one of the common reasons why a patient needs to seek eye care.

Do you want a painless procedure to ease the discomfort caused by dry eye? Read on to learn more about a new treatment known as intense pulse light (IPL).

What Is It?

IPL is a type of light therapy specially calibrated at specific energy and frequency levels to treat dry eyes caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The meibomian glands refer to tiny oil glands lining the margin of your eyelids. These glands secrete oil that coats your eye's surface and prevent the water layer of your tears from evaporating. Both the oil and water components make up your tear film. This layer moistens and keeps your eye surface healthy. If either the oil or water components are inadequate or are of poor quality, you may experience blurred vision or eye irritation. 

MGD happens when your glands aren't producing enough oil to lubricate your eyes. Or, if they do, the oil they secrete is not of good quality. Usually, the gland openings become plugged up with secretions that have thickened. As a result, less oil comes out of the glands. The oil that does make it out tends to be crusty or granular. They may also be unhealthy, causing irritation. Without treatment, MGD can lead to or worsen dry eye as well as eyelid inflammation. Experts believe that IPL can improve the function of your meibomian glands. 

What to Expect During IPL Treatment

Before you receive IPL treatment, your eye doctor will have to perform a thorough dry eye assessment. This way, they will have a clear grasp of what's causing your symptoms, then create a treatment plan specific to your case. Your doctor will let you know once IPL is suitable for your condition. 

During IPL treatment, you will be asked to remove all makeup on your skin. Then, they will fit you with protective eye pads or goggles. Your doctor will apply a conductive gel beneath your eyelid area. They will move the IPL device from one side of your face to the other. They typically start from the edge of your ear to the bridge of your nose. This is to ensure that the intense pulsed light is evenly spread during your treatment. Your doctor will then safely stimulate the normal functioning of your meibomian glands by applying five or six IPL flashes beneath your eyelid area. It's totally painless. You shouldn't feel a thing except for warmth in the treatment area. Finally, your doctor will start expressing your glands. This way, they can clear any blockages. An IPL session usually takes only about 10 minutes.

To achieve optimal results, experts recommend that you get IPL treatment on day one, day 15, and day 45, then subsequently after that whenever necessary. IPL treatment for dry eyes is non-invasive. Many patients experience relief within just a few minutes. But the best possible improvement to your glands' normal functioning is often noticeable after your third session (day 45) or the IPL treatments after that. 

Do you need more information about IPL? Visit Positive Eye Ons Optometry today in Los Angeles, California. Call (323) 651-5646 today.