OptiLIGHT IPL dry eye therapy
Dry, irritated eyes can affect everything, from reading and driving to simply getting through the day comfortably.
We now offer OptiLIGHT IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy, the first and only FDA-approved IPL technology for managing dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), when the oil glands in your eyelids don’t work as they should.
This isn’t a quick fix or temporary relief. It’s a clinically led approach focused on long-term improvement and ongoing management.
It all starts with a dry eye assessment
Every patient begins with a comprehensive dry eye assessment. Using our advanced Antares+ diagnostic technology, we produce a detailed dry eye report and build a clearer picture of your eye health. Its dedicated software helps detect and analyse dry eye.
- Understand the cause of your symptoms
- See how stable your tear film is
- Check your meibomian gland function
- Spot signs of inflammation on the eye
- Find out whether OptiLIGHT suits you
After your assessment, we’ll talk you through your results, explain what they mean in practical terms, and recommend a plan tailored to you.
The Antares+ corneal topographer
To understand the cause of your dry eye and plan treatment around you, we use the Antares+ corneal topographer, a non-invasive scanner that looks at the surface of your eyes and the quality of your tear film in exceptional detail, far more than a standard eye test. The scan is quick, comfortable and painless.
It helps us:
- assess how stable your tear film is
- detect dry areas on the surface of the eye
- measure how quickly your tears evaporate
- examine the oil-producing glands in your eyelids
- monitor changes over time and track your treatment
Comfortable, non-contact technology
The scan is quick, non-invasive and completely contact-free, suitable for most patients and easy to perform. Most assessments need no drops, and results are available straight away.
What is OptiLIGHT IPL?
OptiLIGHT is a light-based treatment applied to the skin below the eyes. It works by helping to improve how your eyelid glands work, reduce inflammation and stabilise your tear film.
Improves meibomian gland function
Supports the glands that produce the oily layer of your tears, which reduces evaporation and keeps eyes comfortable.
Reduces inflammation around the eyes
Targets inflammation in the surrounding area, often a key cause of ongoing dry eye symptoms.
Stabilises the tear film
Helps create a more consistent, balanced tear film, for clearer vision and better day-to-day comfort.
Who is OptiLIGHT suitable for?
OptiLIGHT may be recommended if you have:
Dry or gritty eyes
A persistent feeling of dryness, discomfort or something in your eye that drops don’t fully solve.
Redness or irritation
Ongoing redness or sensitivity that leaves your eyes feeling tired, inflamed or uncomfortable.
Burning or stinging
A sharp or lingering discomfort, often linked to an unstable tear film.
Watery eyes
Excess tearing, often the eye’s response to underlying dryness rather than a sign of healthy eyes.
Fluctuating vision
Vision that comes and goes in clarity, especially when using screens or reading.
MGD is a leading cause of dry eye, so treating it directly can bring more consistent comfort over time.
What to expect from treatment
- Each session takes around 10 to 15 minutes
- A course is usually 4 treatments, a few weeks apart
- You may feel a gentle warmth during treatment
- It’s non-invasive, with minimal discomfort
Your practitioner may also recommend extra steps, such as gland expression, as part of your care plan.
Prices
Start with an assessment. If OptiLIGHT is right for you, choose how to pay.
All four practices
Dry eye assessment
£75
Free for OptiPlan members
- Antares+ scan
- Your dry eye report, explained
- A treatment plan that suits you
Newark
Pay per treatment
£250 per OptiLIGHT session
A course of 4 is £1,000
- No membership
- No ongoing commitment
- Most people need a course of 4
Newark
OptiLIGHT Complete
£95 a month for 12 months
£1,140 in total
- All 4 OptiLIGHT sessions
- 12 months of OptiPlan Complete
A year of OptiPlan includes
| Enhanced eye exam | £75 |
| 2 retinal scans (OCT) | £100 |
| 2 dry eye assessments, if needed | £150 |
| 2 BlephEx treatments, if needed | £150 |
| Emergency appointment | £50 |
| Worth up to | £525 |
Plus 30% off frames, lenses and sunglasses. Normal prices shown.
Hear from our patients
Opticare patients share their experience of OptiLIGHT IPL treatment for dry eye.
Learn more about dry eye
Read our full guide to IPL treatment for the science behind OptiLIGHT, see our dry eye condition page for an overview of symptoms and causes, or find out about BlephEx treatment if your symptoms are linked to blepharitis.
Enquire about OptiLIGHT today
OptiLIGHT IPL therapy is now available at Opticare. Send us your details and our team will be in touch to talk about whether it’s right for you and what happens next.