As well as making tailored recommendations on lifestyle changes and home management, we offer a range of in-practice treatments that target the underlying causes of your individual dry eye condition.

If you have Dry Eye Disease, Blepharitis, or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)—these are often chronic conditions, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with discomfort. While lid hygiene, lubricating drops, nutritional support and warm compresses are essential foundations of care, our advanced therapies can help restore gland function, reduce inflammation, and provide longer-lasting relief.

What Exactly is Low-Level Light Therapy?

LLLT (sometimes called photobiomodulation) is non-invasive, evidence-based therapy that uses light to improve eyelid and tear gland function, reduce inflammation, and even provide additional skin benefits. It utilizes carefully controlled wavelengths of light to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation at a cellular level. Unlike surgical or high-intensity lasers, LLLT works at low energy levels — making it completely safe, painless, and relaxing.

When light penetrates the skin, it is absorbed by mitochondria (the “powerhouses” of your cells). This boosts energy production, reduces oxidative stress, and improves local circulation — all of which are important for restoring healthy function in your eyelids and tear glands.

Why LLLT Matters for Dry Eye and Eyelid Conditions

Many people with Dry Eye Disease actually suffer from an underlying condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). These tiny oil glands line your eyelids and are crucial for producing the protective oily layer of your tears. When they’re blocked or inflamed, tears evaporate too quickly — leaving eyes feeling dry, gritty, or watery.

LLLT has been shown to:

• Reduce inflammation in eyelid tissues and the ocular surface
• Stimulate meibomian gland function, restoring healthier oil production
• Control bacteria and biofilm linked to blepharitis and styes
• Improve tear stability, reducing dryness and irritation
• Support skin rejuvenation around the eyes with red-yellow light options
  

Customised Light for Your Needs

At Illume Eye Care, we offer different wavelength options depending on your condition:

• Red Light (633nm) - Boosts cellular energy, promotes healing, and reduces inflammation. Especially effective for stimulating oil gland activity in MGD.
• Red + Blue Light - Combines the anti-inflammatory benefits of red light with the antibacterial action of blue light. Helpful for blepharitis, where bacterial overgrowth contributes to eyelid irritation.
• Red + Yellow Light - Supports gentle rejuvenation of the delicate skin around your eyes, improving circulation and promoting a healthier eyelid environment. Patients often notice not just improved comfort, but fresher, brighter-looking skin.

What the Research Says

Clinical studies show that LLLT can significantly improve both symptoms and signs of dry eye, particularly when linked to MGD. Patients report less grittiness, burning, and watering, while clinicians observe better gland function and more stable tears.

A 2023 Review of Optometry feature highlighted that both single- and multi-wavelength light therapies are effective, but customised protocols (like the red, red-blue, or red-yellow options we offer) provide targeted benefits depending on the patient’s condition.

Conditions That Can Benefit From LLLT

LLLT is versatile and can help with a range of conditions:

• Dry Eye Disease (especially MGD-related)
• Blepharitis (bacterial or demodex mite-related, inflammatory eyelid disease)
• Styes and chalazia (those lumps on your lids - blocked or infected glands)
• Rosacea-related eyelid inflammation
• Post-surgical healing support (in some cases)
• Eyelid and periocular skin health

Standalone or Combined Treatment Options

LLLT can be very effective on its own, but it can also be combined with other advanced therapies for even greater results:

• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) – reduces inflammation and abnormal blood vessels linked to rosacea and MGD
• LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation – applies gentle heat and massage to unclog blocked oil glands
• ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) – deeply cleanses the lash line to remove bacteria, debris, and mites

By combining therapies, we can address multiple aspects of dry eye at once, leading to more lasting relief.

What to Expect During Your Session

You’ll stil comfortable with specifically selected medical-grade LLLT LED lights positioned close to you. The session lasts around 10–15 minutes. While the lights are bright, you will feel no pain. There's no downtime — you can resume normal activities straight after.

Best results are usually achieved with a series of sessions, tailored to your diagnosis.

Why Choose Illume Eye Care?

As a specialist dry eye clinic, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Our optometrists have years of experience in Dry Eye Management - your eyes are unique, and so is your treatment plan. At Illume, you’ll receive:

• A comprehensive dry eye assessment to identify the root causes of your symptoms
• A customised light therapy plan designed around your glands, eyelids, and skin
• Access to the latest in-office therapies, supported by international research
• A caring team dedicated to improving not just your vision, but your comfort and quality of life
  

And as always we're happy to work with your current optometrist, ophthalmologist or general practitioner to get you the best results for your eyes.

Ready to Get Relief?

If you're struggling with irritated, tired, or red eyes despite using drops and compresses at home, we can help. Our comprehensive assessment will guide the best combination of therapies to get your eyes feeling—and functioning—better. Book a dry eye consultation today to take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.