Almost one in five people know the problem: the eyes are stinging, scratchy, reddened, and feel as if filled with sand. This is also known as the dry eye syndrome.

Many influences of daily life strain the eye and cause and trigger discomfort and eye pain that may often be persistent.

Redness, fatigue, blurred vision and scratchy eyes are the first signs of eye discomfort. Over the time many other symptoms and serious complications can occur, like uncomfortable changings in vision comfort and infections.

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is exactly what it sounds like – a condition causing dry eyes.

In a healthy eye, tears are responsible for the perfectly smooth ocular surface which allows clear vision. Tears also clean and lubricate the eye. Every time we blink, a fresh layer of tears, called the tear film, spreads over the eye.

The tear film is important for keeping the eye moist and comfortable.

Sometimes, the eye may stop producing enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly. This common and often chronic condition is referred to as dry eye syndrome.

In people without dry eye

Tears are produced in, and released from, tear glands in your eyelids. Tears wash over your eyes to remove dirt or dust, and to make sure that your eyes are well lubricated so you can see clearly.

In people with dry eye

Tears aren’t produced or they don’t function the same as they used to. This can be caused by a few different factors:

• A reduced amount of water in your tear secretion
• Poor tear quality or less blinking than usual
• Blocked meibomian glands causing inflammation of the eyelids
• Bacteria build up around the lid/lash line – Demodex mites

What is IRPL?

Intense Regulated Pulsed Light (IRPL) Therapy is a drug-free, drop-free, light-based treatment that delivers precise infra-red light pulses to the periorbital area, targeting one of the root causes of Dry Eye – inflammation. It is particularly effective in treating meibomian gland dysfunction, the most common cause of chronic dry eye.

IRPL targets meibomian gland dysfunction by:

• Reducing inflammation
• Unclogging meibomian glands
• Eliminating abnormal blood vessels
• Improving meibomian gland function

Improvements in meibomian gland function result in better tear film quality and stability, allowing your eyes to feel comfortable and more easily tolerate the environment you live in from day to day.

How can IRPL treat Dry Eye?

IRPL treats dry eyes by improving the function of the meibomian glands in the eyelids.

glands serve a very important role in ocular surface health – they produce oil which is an essential part of the tear film that naturally lubricates and protects the surface of your eyes.

When these glands are not functioning properly it ultimately leads to loss or atrophy of the glands. When meibomian glands don’t secrete enough oil, or the quality of the secretions is poor, the tear film becomes unstable, leading to rapid tear evaporation and ocular surface inflammation, causing those all too familiar symptoms of dry eye – burning, tearing, itching, grittiness, redness, discomfort, tired eyes, and unstable vision

IRPL treatment emits painless light pulses below the eye, stimulating the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters stimulate the secretion of the meibomian glands, restoring the quality of the gland secretion and              stabilising the lipid layer of the tear film.

What happens during IRPL Treatment?

The treatment with Tearstim® only takes a few minutes, sitting in a comfortably chair. Your eyes are covered by protective eyecups. Hydrogel is applied to the lower eyelid. A series of 4-5 light pulses is performed around the lower eye, gentle and non-invasive. The flashes may appear bright and feel warm but there is no significant discomfort.

The application restores the normal activity of the Meibomian gland.

 

The treatment comprises of 4 sessions.

Treatment 1 – Day 1

Treatment 2 – Day 14 (2 weeks later)

Treatment 3 – Day 45 (1 month later)

Treatment 4 – Day 75 (1 month later)

 

Most patients experience rapid improvement in symptoms from the very first session. The effect of the first two treatments can last a few days up to 2 to 3 weeks. The full treatment effect is cumulative and provides long-lasting results for months after completion of all prescribed sessions.

For most people, relief lasts anywhere from 6 to 36 months, depending on severity of the condition.

 

Yearly maintenance is recommended to maintain best results.

Additional benefits of the treatment include:

• Improved ocular surface health
• More stable and improved quality of vision
• Tightening of the skin due to connective tissue rejuvenation

It is recommended to repeat one application once a year to ensure the glands continue to function at their best.

Useful links to watch

 For More information, please follow the following links and see attached Treatment Guide & Tear Stim brochure.

How E-EYE & TEARSTIM Patented IPL treat DED:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvsBCDSyYeE

Channel 9  Current Affair:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMilOQB6Fww

Treatment process with E-EYE & TEARSTIM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1eaTROIr-g

How can I book in?

To book in simply give us a call at either our Australind or Falcon store

Australind – 08 9796 1966

Falcon – 08 6558 2553

Or book your Comprehensive Dry Eye Examination online today to see if the Tear Stil IRPL treatment is for you!