Interventional Therapy is a Win for Dry Eye Patients

Interventional Therapy is a Win for Dry Eye Patients
Nate Lighthizer OD, FAAO
Professor and Dean, Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry

Interventional therapy is changing the way we treat dry eye disease (DED), giving eye care professionals a more active role in dry eye management and improving the overall patient experience. Over the last decade or so, patient care has evolved from prescribing the typical at-home treatment options to focusing more on in-office treatments, such as intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) and radiofrequency thermal pulsation (RF).

While traditional treatments such as artificial tears and warm compresses may still be helpful, they are no longer the main solution. Dry eye is a progressive, chronic disease, and we need treatments that are disease-modifying, not just symptom-masking. Many treatments only provide temporary relief without addressing underlying issues like meibomian gland dysfunction and inflammation.

Compliance also suffers when patients are burdened with doing all the work at home, putting in drops and applying compresses on a day-to-day basis. Instead, offering in-office treatments that we know are effective and safe, such as IPL and RF, leads to better outcomes and long-term patient benefits.

The Benefits of IPL Treatment

IPL has become a mainstay of dry eye treatment. Five years ago, only a small percentage of doctors were using it, but that has since changed now that we have an FDA-approved IPL for dry eyes. Lumenis IPL is the first and only IPL FDA-approved for the management of dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). OptiLIGHT uses Lumenis’ patented Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT™) to significantly improve tear breakup time, meibum quality, and meibomian gland expressibility. ,

Inflammation is like a faucet that runs and runs, causing dry eye. If we can turn the faucet off or reduce the flow, it will help. IPL absorbs leaky inflammatory facial vessels, also known as telangiectasia, and helps shut them down, reducing inflammation. This approach is especially important for patients with ocular rosacea, as targeting telangiectasias and MGD dramatically decreases or eliminates facial redness and sets them on the right path for relief. ,

In my office, we schedule patients for a series of four to six OptiLIGHT treatments spaced two to four weeks apart. With regularly scheduled treatments, we see consistent improvements in dry eye signs, and patients feel better overall.

Seeing patients on a regular basis also provides opportunities to educate them on the importance of sticking to the treatment schedule. Those additional touchpoints between the doctor and the patient are critical to reinforcing compliance, the reasons for treatment, and getting buy-in from the patient.

Adding RF to IPL Treatment

OptiPLUS, a complementary treatment to OptiLIGHT, adds another element to enhance patient care. It is an FDA-cleared dual-frequency radio frequency (RF) device that uses heat to target the meibomian glands and promote collagen production.

Since 86% of dry eye cases are linked to MGD, nearly every patient will experience some degree of evaporative dry eye, with the meibomian glands often being the root cause. Heating these glands with radio frequency improves their function and secretion, making it a highly beneficial treatment. We always recommend in-office OptiPLUS treatments over several sessions, which can be done at the same time as OptiLIGHT treatments, to effectively target the meibomian glands.

Response to Treatment

We have received tremendous feedback from patients regarding their OptiLIGHT and OptiPLUS treatments because they are moving in the right direction. Again, patient education is key. If they expect immediate results from a single IPL treatment, they can be disappointed. I always emphasize that we cannot fix dry eye in a day, a week, or even a month. Treating dry eye is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about making consistent improvements with every visit. Each time, my goal is to make the patient a little bit better, then a little bit better, and then a little bit better after that. Patients appreciate a doctor who cares, is committed, and uses the latest technology, and they have been very pleased with the results.

The future of dry eye management is increasingly shifting toward in-office treatments, much like the evolution we have seen in glaucoma care. Interventional therapies like OptiLIGHT and OptiPLUS are not just about managing signs – they are important for modifying the disease and providing personalized care. By embracing these innovative approaches, you’ll see happier patients will return for follow-ups. It is a win for both your practice and your patients, ultimately leading to better outcomes and long-term results.