Dry Eyes That Won't Quit? How IPL Treatment Works at Bergen Optometry in Hackensack, NJ

Dry eye rarely announces itself loudly. It shows up as stinging at your desk, a gritty feeling when you wake up, or contacts you can't wear past noon. So you buy drops. They help for an hour, and the cycle starts again.

When drops only work briefly, the cause is usually somewhere else.

The Problem Sits in Your Eyelids


Along the edge of each eyelid are meibomian glands. They release the oil that keeps your tears from evaporating. When those glands get clogged or inflamed, a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), your tears vanish too quickly and your eyes dry out, no matter how many drops you use.

Where IPL Fits In

OptiLight by Lumenis is the first and only IPL (intense pulsed light) treatment FDA-approved for dry eye disease caused by MGD. More than 20 clinical studies support it.

The light pulses are applied to the skin around your eyes. They reduce inflammation, help the glands work better, and lengthen tear break-up time. They also lower the number of Demodex mites and bacteria living around the lashes, which can make irritation worse.

What Treatment Feels Like

Most patients need four sessions, spaced two to four weeks apart. Each one takes about 30 minutes.

Your provider puts gel on the treatment area and covers your eyes with protective shields. As the light pulses, you may feel some warmth, though most people report very little sensation. Your provider may then follow up with gland expression using Systane iLux. When you're done, you can head straight back to work or errands.

Most patients start to notice a difference after the fourth session.

It's Not for Everyone

Your doctor will tell you if OptiLight isn't a good fit. It isn't recommended if you have aqueous deficiency dry eye, where your eyes don't make enough watery tears, or if you have a history of keloid scarring or severe scarring around the eyes. An exam comes first so the treatment matches your type of dry eye.

A Few Side Benefits

IPL has a long track record in skin care. Many patients also see smoother skin, better collagen production, and fewer age spots, sun spots, or signs of rosacea around the treated area.

Take the First Step

If your dry eye hasn't improved with drops and compresses, ask Bergen Optometry whether OptiLight is right for you. The team's dry eye management program starts by finding the cause and builds the plan from there.

348 Main St, Hackensack, NJ 07601

Call or text 201-482-1216

Book an appointment online

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