First-ever treatment of its kind to stop chronic dry eye offered at local vision clinic

Apr. 30—From the Oklahoma dry weather to allergies or degenerative conditions to other diseases, sufferers from chronic "dry eye" have known there is little in life to be done to treat the condition and must endure the symptoms indefinitely — until now.

Having dry eye is exactly what it sounds like. Eyes that are lacking moisture, for whatever reason, that are painful and irritating, hampering the quality of life. Most often, patients are given eye drops — and sometimes the dry eye is so severe, people cannot sleep through the night and must wake up to moisturize.

"In the realm of optometry, dry eye disease has long posed a significant challenge for patients and optometrists," said John Johnson, certified paraoptometric optician and assistant practice manager of the Stillwater Vision Clinic.

"Its symptoms, ranging from irritation and redness to blurred vision and discomfort, can significantly diminish one's quality of life," he said.

While traditional treatments — drops, compresses, medications, tear duct plugs — have offered relief to some, they often fail to provide lasting solutions.

"These were the only options until now," Johnson said. "I think it's so exciting."

"It is a groundbreaking solution in the form of Intense Pulsed Light therapy laser, which is the only FDA-approved device for the management of dry eye disease," Johnson said.

The technology use began in dermatology decades ago to treat acne, spider veins and rosacea in the face, and in the early 2000s doctors noticed their patients having severe dry eye told them it was alleviated, Johnson said.

"And this is how it was discovered," he said. "It offers new hope for those grappling with this pervasive condition. We are one of maybe seven or eight clinics in the state with the technology."

The laser was approved in 2023 by the FDA for the management of dry eye disease due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction after studies confirmed the laser does indeed help the gland actually regenerate and, therefore, could be called a cure.

Unlike conventional methods that primarily focus on symptom management, IPL therapy restores proper glandular activity through gentle pulses of light emitted onto the skin around the eyes. This process reduces inflammation, improves gland function and replenishes the tear film to alleviate dry eye symptoms.

People do not need to know if they have atrophied or no-longer-working eye glands. The clinic will evaluate patients and can determine if they are a candidate. Prior medical history can help in the determination.

"With IPL technology, we can offer our dry eye patients a solution that treats the underlying cause of dry eye, instead of just masking the symptoms with more eye drops," said Kelsey Grounds, optometrist and dry eye specialist.

Johnson said the technology targets the root cause of the condition, specifically the meibomian gland dysfunction. These glands, responsible for producing the oily layer of the tear film, often become blocked or dysfunctional in individuals with dry eye, leading to inadequate lubrication of the eyes.

"Anyone who is suffering from dry eye, or having any of those kinds of symptoms, we take a scan of the upper and lower eyelids and can determine if you're a candidate," Johnson said.

For anyone with tattooed eye makeup, Johnson said the laser is not "directly on the eyelids," so people with this can still have the therapy performed.

Sessions are performed two to four weeks apart, then maintenance as needed. The benefits of IPL appear to be sustained over time, offering long-term relief for chronic sufferers.

"Patients undergoing IPL therapy have experienced transformative results, often noticing a reduction in symptoms after just a few sessions," Johnson said. "The non-invasive nature of IPL treatment ensures minimal downtime and virtually no side effects, making it a preferable option for individuals seeking relief without the risks associated with surgery or medications."

Health insurance, as with most anything new that works to help people suffering or is a cure, does not pay for the therapy at this time. However, those who suffer with dry eye know the costs for co-payment and drops can be exorbitant, sometimes adding up to as much as $300 per month.

"We offer a package if you buy four of them, it's $1,200. Or it's $400 per treatment," Johnson said.

People are paying more per year to put a band-aid on the problem with eye drops or other treatment, as opposed to spending out-of-pocket for the new therapy that would likely halt the problem permanently.

"As awareness of IPL therapy continues to grow within the Stillwater community and the state, its role in the management of dry eye disease is expected to expand," Johnson said. "This cutting-edge therapy represents a significant advancement in the field of optometry, offering renewed hope for individuals struggling with the debilitating effects of dry eye disease."

To inquire about the new therapy and to set up an evaluation, call 405-372-3724. The clinic is located at 2123 West 6th Ave. in Stillwater.