Dr. Julie McLaughlin says she sets clear expectations up-front with her dry eye disease (DED) patients: It’s a chronic, multifactorial disease that requires a multifactorial treatment plan. Part of that treatment plan at Lehigh Eye Specialists, where she practices, includes OptiLight and OptiPlus from Lumenis.
Lumenis light therapy uses FDA-approved intense pulsed light technology for DED man-agement. OptiLight uses this technology to target multiple areas of concern, including meibomian gland dysfunction and inflammatory disease. OptiPlus is a dual-frequency radiofrequency technology that delivers heat to multiple layers of the skin, in part, targeting the meibomian glands.
The two, say the company, work in complementary ways to improve the signs and symptoms of DED.
Here, Drs. McLaughlin, Cory Lappin, and Melanie Denton Dombrowski discuss the combo devices’ value to patients and optometry practices.
Patient value
Dr. Dombrowski, who practices at Salisbury Eyecare and Eyewear, in Salisbury, NC, says doctors can expect to see the following after four treatments provided two to four weeks apart: improved tear break-up time, improved form and function of the meibomian glands, and improved clinical signs, such as decreased thickening and redness of the lids.
Regarding symptoms, she points out that she sees improvements in Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness and Ocular Surface Disease Index scores, the latter of which tend to improve by about 15 points to 20 points.
Dr. McLaughlin agrees and says she also bundles OptiLight and OptiPlus into several packages of at least four visits.
“When you pair the two together, you get this awesome one-two punch that targets the root of dry eye, breaking the vicious cycle of inflammation and improving both function and structure of meibomian glands, as well as helping with lid laxity and blink dynamics,” she says.
Dr. Lappin, of Phoenix Eye Care and the Dry Eye Center of Arizona, says he appreciates the quality of meibum expression he observes after treatment.
Practice value
Addressing the unmet needs of DED patients expands the patient base of each practice, according to those interviewed. Specifically, they say they receive referrals from other medical professionals to address their patients’ DED.
Working in a referral-based practice, Dr. McLaughlin asserts that it is not uncommon for her patients to have seen two or three doctors about their DED prior to obtaining relief from OptiLight and OptiPlus at her practice.
Dr. Dombrowski notes that some of her DED patients travel long distances for these technologies.
Dr. Lappin points out that patients see the value in these dual devices that deter DED even though they are an out-of-pocket cost.
“I educate all my patients about their condition and the treatment options available. I also like to be up-front about associated costs to help patients make the decision that is right for them,” he explains. “Because patients see the value these two treatments provide, many choose OptiLight and OptiPlus, and routinely achieve great results.” OM
