True, you read IPL and dermatology is the first thing that comes to mind, but IPL just happens to be a more versatile technology than most people would think. For some time, it has been used to treat chronic dry eye disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction of the eyelids using its pulses to liquefy and release hardened oils that have clogged meibomian glands in the eyelids and also affecting vascularization and inflammation of the eyelids helping restore them to regular working condition.

Our tears usually contain oils that keeps them from evaporating but, overproduction of these oils or underproduction of the water element of our tears can lead to the oils remaining in the glands and solidfying after some time which would clog the glands and impeed the expulsion of tears to keep our eyes lubricated which could damage them over time.

The treatment itself is somewhat straight-forward, the eyes are shileded to avoid damage and cooling gel is applied to the treatment area and then the pulses are directed to the area around the eyelids. The heat generated by these pulses will help liquefy and loosen the oils that clog the meibomian glands and, afterwards, the doctor will be able to extract said oils manually from the glands to restore proper eye lubrication.

Follow up sessions would be needed but being the procedure so easy and quick to perform with the help of an IPL machine, it’s less of an issue for those who suffer it.