What is IRPL?
Intense regulated pulsed light (IRPL) therapy is a relatively new dry eye treatment. It’s particularly effective in treating meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the most common cause of chronic dry eye.
IRPL targets all aspects of meibomian gland dysfunction by:
- Improving meibomian gland function
- Unclogging meibomian glands
- Reducing inflammation
- Improving tear film quality and stability by restoring the lipid (oil) layer of the tear film
It is also one of the only treatments that has the potential to regenerate meibomian gland structure.
The Difference Between IPL and IRPL
You may have heard of IPL, or intense pulsed light therapy, which is frequently used for skin treatment and hair removal. IPL is similar to IRPL, with one key difference. IRPL uses regulated pulses of light, whereas IPL uses unregulated pulses of light.
While it might seem like a small difference, IRPL delivers a much more precise and targeted treatment in comparison to IPL.
In IRPL, each flash of light delivered by the device is divided into sub-pulses. Each sub-pulse is then managed individually, with different durations and light intensities possible.
The energy level delivered during each pulse of light is uniform from the beginning of the pulse to the end. This makes IRPL much more efficient and effective compared to IPL.
In IPL, the energy of each pulse gradually decreases from the beginning to the end of the pulse, reducing its effectiveness.
Which is Better for Dry Eye?
The E>Eye Medical grade IRPL device, was specifically designed to treat the main source of chronic dry eyes. IPL, on the other hand, was actually first developed as a skin treatment, then modified for dry eyes.
How Does IRPL Treatment for Dry Eyes Work?
The E>Eye is the patented IRPL device used to treat dry eyes. It treats dry eyes by improving the function of the meibomian (oil) glands of the eyelids.
Meibomian glands that are not functioning properly can eventually lead to gland dropout (loss) or atrophy, which leads to long-term and severe dry eye symptoms. When meibomian glands don’t secrete enough oil onto the eye, tears evaporate too quickly, leading to a cycle of inflammation.
This leads to dry eye symptoms such as burning, stinging, irritation, watering, and redness. Congestion in the Meibomian Glands can also lead to chalazia, commonly known as styes.
The E>Eye produces calibrated light pulses that target the meibomian glands. These light pulses are applied below and beside the eye in the areas where the parasympathetic nerve for the meibomian glands travels resulting in neurological stimulation of the meibomian glands.
This neurological stimulation helps to:
- Regenerate the meibomian glands
- Improve the quality of meibomian gland secretions
- Stabilize the lipid (oil) layer of the tear film
The regulated light pulses from IRPL help break the vicious cycle of inflammation, leading to a long-term improvement of dry eye symptoms. It also helps prevent further atrophy of the meibomian glands.
What Should I Expect During Treatment?
During treatment, you’ll sit in a chair with your head tilted back.
To protect your eyes, you’ll wear protective metal goggles. An ultrasound gel will be applied around your eyes on the cheekbones and temples.
The IRPL device will be used to apply a series of 5 flashes under your eye, starting from the upper cheek area under the eye and ending towards the outer edge of the eye.
The same process is then repeated on your other eye. The treatment is quite comfortable.
The treatment protocol involves fortnightly sessions for optimal results. Your optometrist will provide you with an estimate of how long you will require treatment for based on the condition of your meibomian glands in your initial Dry Eye Assessment.
What Results Should I Expect?
The nerve stimulation from IRPL helps meibomian gland function improve within a few days, however some patients may take longer. The effects of the treatments are cumulative, which is why it is important to follow the treatment protocol. Gaps in treatment decrease the effectiveness of this cumulative effect and may prolong treatment time.
The results can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years, depending on your eyes. If your symptoms do start to come back, your optometrist will likely recommend single maintenance sessions every 6 to 12 months.
Safety Profile
The E>Eye treatment, which utilizes IRPL technology, is very safe with a clearly defined treatment protocol.
There are some circumstances where patients should not be treated with IRPL:
- Pregnancy
- Patients with lupus
- Patients with a history of seizures
- Patients using drugs that cause photosensitivity
- Sunburn
- Use of Vitamin A or Retinol
- Eyelid tattoos
- Severe eczema in the treatment area
- Patients with very dark skin (skin type 6)
- Coagulation disorders
- Use of asprin or anticoagulants
Patients with skin types 1 to 5 can be safely treated with IRPL (skin types 4 and 5 – darker skin, are treated with a slightly reduced light energy).
There are currently more than 1,500 E>Eye devices in use around the world, and over 150,000 patients have been treated with this technology.
How Do I Know if IRPL is Right for Me?
Your optometrist will likely recommend IRPL if:
- You have chronic dry eye
- You have meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
- Other treatments, like eye drops, have not provided long-term relief
For any dry eye treatment, it’s best to ask your optometrist. Your optometrist will be able to properly diagnose your dry eye and recommend the right treatment following a comprehensive Dry Eye Assessment.