IPL for Demodex & Dry Eye

Relief for Irritated, Inflamed Eyes

Do your eyes feel itchy, red, watery, or irritated — especially around the eyelids? Have you tried endless drops with little relief? One overlooked cause of dry eye is Demodex mites, microscopic organisms that live in eyelash follicles and oil glands. Left untreated, they can inflame the eyelids, clog glands, and worsen dry eye symptoms.

At EyeC Optometry, we offer Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy — a safe, advanced treatment that not only reduces demodex and eyelid inflammation but also restores healthier tears for long-term comfort.

Signs You May Have Demodex or Inflammatory Dry Eye

• Itchy, irritated eyelids
  
  
• Crusty or scaly eyelashes (especially in the morning)
  
  
• Red, inflamed eyelid margins
  
  
• Frequent styes or chalazia
  
  
• Watery or burning eyes
  
  
• Blurry vision that improves after blinking
  
  

👉 If two or more sound familiar, demodex or inflamed oil glands may be contributing to your dry eye.

Why Standard Treatments Fall Short

Demodex mites and inflammatory dry eye can be stubborn. Home remedies, artificial tears, or wipes may help temporarily, but they rarely eliminate mites or address deeper inflammation.

Here’s why IPL stands out:

Standard Remedies

• Wipes/scrubs may remove surface debris
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• Drops offer short-term moisture
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• Warm compresses loosen glands temporarily
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• No cosmetic benefit

IPL Therapy

• IPL penetrates deeper to reduce mites and bacteria
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• IPL restores gland function for lasting relief
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• IPL reduces underlying inflammation
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• IPL improves skin tone, reduces redness

How IPL Works

Intense Pulsed Light delivers gentle flashes of light to the skin around the eyes. This:

• Reduces demodex mites & bacteria on the eyelids.
  
  
• Decreases inflammation that blocks healthy tear production.
  
  
• Stimulates the meibomian glands to restore natural oil flow.
  
  
• Improves skin health by reducing redness and broken capillaries.
  
  

The result? Clearer eyes, healthier tears, and more comfortable vision.

What to Expect During Treatment

• Step 1: Consultation – We evaluate your lids, lashes, and glands under a microscope to confirm demodex or inflammation.
  
  
• Step 2: IPL Treatment – A session lasts 30 minutes up to 1 hour. Protective shields are placed over your eyes while safe, gentle light pulses are applied to the skin around them.
  
  
• Step 3: Immediate Recovery – No downtime. You can resume normal activities right away.
  
  
• Step 4: Ongoing Care – For best results, most patients complete a series of 3–4 sessions, followed by maintenance treatments once or twice a year.
  
  

Who Is a Candidate for IPL?

IPL is especially effective for patients who:

• Suffer from chronic dry eye with eyelid inflammation
  
  
• Experience itchy, crusty, or scaly lashes from demodex
  
  
• Have rosacea or skin redness that worsens dry eye
  
  
• Tried drops or compresses with little relief
  
  
• Want both eye comfort and cosmetic skin benefits
  
  

Real Patient Results