Dry eye disease is a common and often frustrating condition, but it can be managed. Dry eye therapy provides targeted treatments to reduce dry eye symptoms and help you find relief. If you’re diagnosed with dry eyes, your optometrist may recommend intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy to help alleviate symptoms.
Insurance providers consider IPL an elective or cosmetic procedure and won’t cover these treatments. However, there are several other payment options that can help you find the relief you deserve.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye disease occurs when your natural tear production is interrupted. Without adequate tears, you may experience symptoms like:
- Scratchy, gritty sensation
- Burning sensation
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Eye fatigue
Dry eye can result from several factors, including:
- Your environment
- Prolonged screen time
- Aging
- Medications
- Health conditions
- Dysfunction in tear production
Your specific symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause of dry eyes. In some advanced chronic cases, dry eyes can lead to corneal abrasions.
Your optometrist can diagnose the type of dry eye you’re experiencing to address the root cause, helping preserve your vision and comfort.
What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments help manage dry eye disease by addressing meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD occurs when your meibomian glands can’t produce enough oils or healthy oils. MGD is a leading cause of evaporative dry eye.
IPL uses light to penetrate and heat the skin, helping melt the blockages in your meibomian glands. By addressing MGD, this treatment helps reduce inflammation, improve gland function, and maintain a healthy tear film.
IPL can be performed in your optometrist’s office. The treatment is usually followed by meibomian gland expression to stimulate oil production.
How Much Does IPL Cost?
It’s difficult to say how much IPL treatments cost since the price can vary based on the provider, the size of the treatment area, and the number of sessions required. Consult with your optometrist to get a more accurate estimate based on your specific needs.
Dry eye treatments are important procedures that help protect your vision and comfort. However, even if you’re diagnosed with dry eyes—a medical condition—insurance providers may not cover IPL treatments.
Can Private Insurance Cover IPL?
While IPL is an effective, FDA-approved treatment for dry eyes, most insurance providers classify it as a cosmetic procedure. Since IPL is not considered a medical necessity, it is unlikely that it will be covered by insurance.
Review your insurance policy, contact your insurance provider, or reach out to your optometrist to find out if IPL can be covered under your plan.
Can Medicare Cover IPL?
Medicare does not usually cover cosmetic procedures such as IPL, even if it’s for dry eye treatment.
Other Payment Options
Even if it won’t always be considered medically necessary, managing your dry eye symptoms can help preserve your vision health and enhance your quality of life. If your insurance does not cover IPL, there are alternative payment options to help you manage the cost:
Health Savings Accounts
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is offered by banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. HSAs let you set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. You can use the funds in this account at any time for healthcare expenses, including procedures like IPL treatments.
Flexible Spending Accounts
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an employee benefit. Like HSAs, FSAs let you set aside money, pre-tax, to pay for healthcare and dependent care expenses. However, unlike an HSA, an FSA is not administered by your health insurance.
CareCredit
Many optometrists accept CareCredit, including Littlefield Eye Associates. The CareCredit card offers flexible financing options to get the healthcare you want. It’s easy to apply for a CareCredit card, and they often offer introductory periods that are interest-free.
At Littlefield Eye Associates, we accept CareCredit.
Financing Options
For patients who may not have insurance coverage, flexible payment programs can usually be arranged to cater to your needs. Contact your optometrist directly if you want to learn more about their financing options.
Other Options to Treat Dry Eye
Different treatments target different root causes of dry eye, but the goal is always to restore and maintain a healthy amount of tears. While IPL can effectively target MGD and manage dry eye, other solutions may suit different needs:
- Over-the-counter eye drops can temporarily relieve dry eye symptoms, ideal for mild dryness caused by temporary factors like prolonged screen time and windy weather.
- Prescription eye drops can often target specific dry eye symptoms, helping reduce redness and inflammation while supporting tear production.
- A nutritious diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can support your tear film and eye health, but it might not address the underlying cause of dry eyes.
Dry Eye Therapy at Littlefield Eye Associates
We know dry eyes can significantly affect your comfort and daily life. With personalized treatments, you can address dry eye at the root and alleviate symptoms. And at Littlefield Eye Associates, we don’t just tailor the treatment plan—we can tailor your payment plans, too.Remember—your vision is our priority, and we want to help. Contact us today to learn more about payment options or to book your appointment.
