What is low-level light therapy (LLLT)?
LLLT (photobiomodulation) is a safe and non-invasive light therapy mask that uses specific LED lights to stimulate gland production, reduce inflammation of or around the eyes, and gently warm the eyelids. These light therapies technologies have been present since the 1990’s but only recently have there been studies proving their effectiveness and use for the skin of the face and Dry Eye Disease. At Insight Eyecare we think of this as the gentle treatment for the eyes and facial skin versus Intense Pulse Light (IPL). LLLT treatments feel like a very bright 20 minutes on a beach, thus are not risky for burning or long-term damage.
How does LLLT help my dry eye disease?
LLLT has multiple options for different desired outcomes beyond the eyes such as acne, reducing wrinkles, and reduce facial fat/redness with this technology using different wavelengths or colors. There are multiple eye related conditions LLLT treats such as blepharitis, stye/chalazia, and demodex. For treating your eyes, we will be using mainly red, blue, yellow, and infrared treatments, depending on each patients’ needs. The most common is our red and infrared treatment; this reduces inflammation around eyes. This allows the mucus glands of the eyes and oil glands of the eyelids to become rejuvenated. Once they are unclogged, they can produce better quality oil for the tear film, improving eye comfort and stabilizing vision.What to expect:
Depending on the stage of dry eye disease, a sequence of 3 or more treatments, each 1 week apart minimum. Each treatment is 15-20 minutes and is safe for adults and children. Treatments generally last 10-12 months but can be repeated at any time to increase or touchup the effect. The treatments will feel very bright and warm but will not hurt your eyes since they do not emit UV light. Makeup and sunscreen will reduce the effect of the treatments, so we do perform with a clean product free skin of the face. The skin of the face can be red afterwards, but you have no restrictions as to what you can and cannot do. You are safe to drive yourself to and from the appointment. In some cases, patients’ eyes may feel dry for a day or two after treatment.
Each treatment is $200-250 depending on the wavelength of light needed for your type of dryness
factors. Currently medical insurances do not cover dry eye treatments.
