“Dry eye, a common ocular condition that became more acute during the pandemic, can cause significant discomfort to patients who suffer from it. This syndrome is characterized by a deficient production of tears or poor quality tears, generating a burning sensation, irritation, and blurred vision”, says Dr. Verónica Uribe, ophthalmologist of our clinic, who gives us more information about Intense Pulsed Light.

What symptoms can people with dry eye have?

Among the main ones we can mention: burning, redness, stinging, tearing, eye fatigue, or the sensation of having a foreign body in the eyes.

Which patients are most susceptible to dry eye?

Dry eye can affect patients of all ages and has a variety of causes, such as high screen exposure, pre-existing medical conditions, and environmental factors.

What is Intense Pulsed Light and how does it work?

It is a therapy that consists of applying high-intensity light pulses that will deflate the edge of the eyelid and the ocular surface, as well as melt the sebum that is being produced pathologically, decreasing tear evaporation and improving the signs and symptoms of dry eye and blepharitis (an eye condition that causes the eyelids to become irritated and itchy).

What benefits do patients experience after treatment?

• Improvement of symptoms and signs related to dry eye such as burning, foreign body sensation, and tearing, among others.
• In patients with blepharitis, the inflammation of the eyelid edge is improved.
• In the case of patients with blepharitis caused by demodex mites, eradication of the parasite that causes the condition is achieved.

What post-treatment care should be taken?

After the treatment, the patient should apply sunscreen to the face every four hours.

Remember:

Go to your ophthalmologic check-ups, in order to rule out any type of condition that may seriously compromise your visual health.

Dr. Verónica Uribe
Ophthalmologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma