The Dry Eye Optometry Center of Orange County

At The Dry Eye Center of Orange County, we offer a revolutionary treatment using IPL technology to get rid of the root cause of your dry, red, fatigued, and burning eyes and help your eyes feel calm and clear – while reducing your dependency on eye drops. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, a light-based technology commonly used for various skin conditions, including rosacea and discoloration. During the procedure, a strategic level of light pulses is administered to penetrate your skin and target the root cause of the inflammation. As the IPL treatment treats your overall skin appearance, your eyelid inflammation is treated and improved as well. IPL procedures are highly effective, gentle, and safe. IPL stimulates the meibomian glands to create a healthier and thicker oil layer for the tears, which often leads to a significant reduction in dryness and an improvement in redness, pain and vision. There are a number of IPL units available worldwide that are optimized for meibomian gland IPL treatments, yet – the Lumenis M22 Optima specifically – is a versatile unit that not only treats meibomian glands but is also designed to treat numerous other skin conditions elsewhere in the body. Dr. Austin was the first eye doctor in Orange County to treat dry eye patients with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and has performed more of these treatments than any other doctor in the county. He is a key thought leader (KOL) for Lumenis and has trained other doctors on IPL treatment for dry eyes. There are additionally a number of publications that show the value of IPL as a modality in improving and maintaining meibomian gland function. BENEFITS TO M22 IPL TREATMENTS FOR DRY EYE: Treats the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms Provides long-term relief The procedure is safe, comfortable, and quick, with no downtime Reduces your dependency on eye drops This treatment is safe, with no discomfort or downtime, and will improve the comfort of your eyes and the clarity of your vision. During the Procedure You might experience a warm sensation as the light is applied to your skin, but the treatment is gentle and you should not feel uncomfortable. Each session lasts approximately 15 minutes. After the Procedure Immediately following treatment, you may experience some redness and discomfort in the treated areas, which usually disappears within a few hours. Most patients resume their daily activities the same day. Sunlight should be avoided for a few days following the treatment and sunscreen should be used. For optimal results, 4 sessions are typically recommended, with 3-4 weeks in between. Maintenance treatments, usually once every 6-12 months, are also recommended for optimal long-term results.

TearCare is a relatively new method of treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Blepharitis. It is a wearable eyelid technology device that administers gentle heat directly to the meibomian glands to liquefy the meibum, remove blockages and stimulate tear production. HOW DOES TEARCARE WORK? TearCare includes two flexible eyelid devices, which are placed on your upper and lower eyelids. They’re made of a soft, flexible material that conforms to your eye’s natural shape and sits comfortably throughout the procedure. Unlike other treatment methods, TearCare allows the patient’s eyes to remain open and blinking throughout the procedure. The entire process typically lasts for 2 ½ minutes and takes place at the Dry Eye Center of Orange County. After TearCare, your eye doctor will manually clear away obstructions released from the meibomian glands. To learn more about the TearCare procedure, watch this video tutorial. IS TEARCARE SAFE? TearCare is a safe and effective treatment method. The two eyelid devices contain temperature sensors that communicate with the smart hub multiple times per second, ensuring an even delivery of heat to the meibomian glands. The device, controlled by computer software, is customizable and safely monitored throughout the entire process. THE TEARCARE DEVICE TearCare is a 4-in-1 system that includes: A smart hub, which is controlled by computer software to deliver the thermal heat to the eyelids A charging station for the smart hub One-time use eyelid devices that gently conform to your eyelids A one-time use instrument to manually remove blockages from the glands What are the Benefits of TearCare? The usual Meibomian Gland Dysfunction treatment methods tend to include medical technologies that sit over both eyes. With the TearCare system, your eyes remain open and you can blink normally throughout, which allows for a more comfortable and natural-feeling procedure while providing you with quicker results than traditional treatments. With TearCare, tears are stimulated and blockages removed, thus preventing permanent damage to your meibomian glands and providing you with long-lasting relief.