DED: the hidden eye disease affecting millions of Australians

New OptiLight with optimal pulsed technology (OPT) treatment is changing the game for Australians affected by the dry, itchy and irritating symptoms of dry eye disease.

According to recent research, dry eye disease is estimated to affect more than 4 million Australians (up to 20% of the adult population). Yet while dry eye disease is such a prevalent condition, many Australians haven’t actually heard of the disease… including many of those who suffer from Dry Eye symptoms.

As a result, dry eye disease, or DED, often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for many years. One main reason for the low rate of diagnosis in people who suffer from dry eye disease is that its symptoms vary widely between different people and can also fluctuate throughout the day. Some of the symptoms of dry eye disease include irritation, itchiness, redness, puffy eyes, tired eyes at the end of the day, fluctuating vision throughout the day, or a feeling of grittiness as though blinking on sandpaper.

A second reason why dry eye disease is relatively little known and often goes undiagnosed is because its varying symptoms are often misdiagnosed and frequently confused with allergies. Such was the case with much-loved Australian TV and radio personality Melissa Doyle.

Having suffered from dry eye disease for more than a decade, Melissa well-knows the symptoms of irritated, puffy, red and watery eyes. With more than 30 years’ experience, Melissa is one of the most trusted voices and faces in Australian media, recognised for her long-standing positions co-hosting Seven Network’s Sunrise and Sunday Night programs, and as the Weekend Breakfast host for radio station Smooth FM.

“For over a decade, I have endured gritty, watery and puffy eyes that have impacted my day-to-day life significantly,” explains Melissa. “It was common knowledge on the set of Sunrise that my eyes would flair up and cause me problems, and there were even days when my eyes were so bad that I couldn’t go to work”.

Now, Melissa is dedicated to using her high-profile platform to bring attention to the prevalence of dry eye disease. “Because of my personal experience, it’s become very important to me that the message gets out about how common this condition is, what the symptoms are that are often overlooked or mistaken for less serious conditions, and what people can do to improve their eye health in day to day life,” says Melissa.

Introducing OptiLight

Melissa was recently announced as the official OptiLight ambassador for Australia and New Zealand. A new effective treatment option for dry eye disease, OptiLight is the only light-based technology to be FDA-approved for the treatment of Dry Eye disease (as well as TGA listed). Now available in Australia and New Zealand, OptiLight uses optimal pulsed technology (OPT) to treat the underlying cause of dry eye disease (inflammation) to deliver a long-lasting treatment solution in just four 15-minute treatment sessions.

While dry eye disease has historically been treated with lid hygiene and warm compresses, which attempt to unblock the meibomian glands (eyelid glands), this new OPT treatment solution OptiLight effectively treats the underlying inflammation, which is the ultimate cause of most cases of dry eye disease. As a result, OptiLight has proven to be a gamechanging technology.

Having received a DED diagnosis and treatment with OptiLight herself, Melissa is keen to spread the word on OptiLight as a safe and effective treatment for the disease for all Australians and New Zealanders who are affected. Click here to watch video

I was always told my problem was likely allergies. So, I have endured just about every allergy test under the sun. However, after a recent visit and testing with Dr. Jim Kokkinakis at The Eye Practice in Sydney, I have been diagnosed with dry eye disease.”

Melissa has since undergone treatment with OptiLight and has finally experienced relief from decades of dry eye symptoms. “OptiLight is the only FDA-approved and TGA-listed treatment for dry eye that actually treats the root causes of the disease, which are inflammatory mediators on the skin, eye and lid margin,” explains Melissa.

“When I found out that my symptoms could be addressed, it was an absolute gamechanger. Knowing that I had something that could be managed was a really big moment for me. I’ve since had three OptiLight treatment sessions and I’m already experiencing improvement in my dry eye symptoms.”

What to expect from OptiLight treatments OptiLight is a drug-free and drop-free light-based treatment, targeting the root cause of dry eye disease, underlying inflammation, to dramatically reduce its signs and symptoms. Treatment with OptiLight involves simple, safe and comfortable sessions with the OptiLight OPT device.

“Treatment with OptiLight typically involves four 15-minute treatment sessions. I’ve already had three treatment sessions so far,” shares Melissa. “Small shields are used protect my eyes and the treatments are really easy, they’re quick and they don’t hurt at all.”

While more than 4 million Australians are known to suffer from dry eye disease, in 2020, Optometry Australia reported that it is likely up 77% of Australians have suffered from dry eye symptoms, but just 26% have visited an eye care professional to discuss treatment options for the condition. It is for this reason that Melissa is now dedicated to raising awareness around the prevalence of dry eye disease,and for OptiLight as an easy and effective treatment solution.

To those experiencing any symptoms of dry eye disease, Melissa says: “Recent data suggests that most people, like me, wait a really long time or until their quality of life has been affected before they see a specialist for dry eye disease. If you experience any of the symptoms of dry eye disease or feel that you should be seeing more consistent vision, these are really good indicators that you should see an eye specialist.”

“We need to remember that eye health is a really important factor in our overall health and therefore take steps to ensure that our eyes are operating as effectively as they possibly can.” If you experience any of the signs or symptoms of dry eye disease, you can find a local specialist who uses the OptiLight technology in practice.

Visit www.lumenis.com.au and use the Lumenis Clinic Locator tool to find an OptiLight provider in your local area.