WSOC-TV Charlotte, Carolina is syndicating a story about using IPL to successfully treat dry eye. Dr. Coad details how he is using IPL to treat this eye condition that is sometimes also found in ocular rosacea sufferers.
Dr. Mannis in his interview for the RSRP had this to say about IPL and ocular rosacea.
Q: Do you think IPL treatment of the face usually improves ocular rosacea? What about patients who feel that it has made their ocular rosacea worse, eg more veins showing in the white of the eye, lids more sensitive, eyelashes falling out, hot compresses now cause the eyes to swell?
A: Unfortunately, as ophthalmologists, we have very little experience with IPL. That’s something that’s done by and large by dermatologists. I am not aware of any definite ocular side effects from facial treatments with IPL.
Q: Does ocular rosacea increase the likelihood of cataracts or other eye diseases such as macular degeneration, or central serrous corinopathy (retinopathy)?
A: No. But, if IPL is done, there needs to be eye protection. Any kind of laser treatment done on the skin around the eye requires the practitioner to use eye shields to be sure that the globe is not exposed to the intense light in any way. As long as it’s not, then the likelihood of any of those problems occurring is very small.
For more information on Dry Eye see the following articles: Dry Eye: Awareness, Diagnosis, and Management and Dry Eye Syndrome from Sunday Times Sri Lanka
Zapping Dry Eye
Posted: 12:23 pm EDT October 8, 2009
Christopher Coad, M.D., Ophthalmologist at Chelsea Eye & Cosmetic Surgery Associates in New York City, is using a technique for some dry eye patients called intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). IPL is sometimes used to reduce facial skin redness caused by growth of abnormal blood vessels in patients with rosacea. Doctors noticed that some rosacea patients reported easing of dry eye symptoms after getting IPL. That finding led physicians to try it for patients with dry eye.
First, eye shields and a cooling ultrasound gel are placed around the eyes to protect the eyes and surrounding skin. Then, the IPL is aimed under the lower lid, moving across the eyes. Two passes of the light are made. Then the gel and eye shields are removed.
Coad says IPL has three main effects on dry eye. First, the heat acts like a warm compress to liquefy the blocked oil that’s plugging the meibomian gland. Second, the small blood vessels that carry inflammatory cells to the site are sealed. Third, the light treatment improves the health and function of the meibomian gland, reducing the risk of further inflammation.
1 comment so far ↓
I have suffered from Rosacea including dry eyes for over 10 years.
Cod Liver Oil with Vitamins A and D have given great relief to the dry eyes for the past 18 months. It has also helped reduce the number of breakouts.
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