Specsavers Expands Dry Eye Care Across ANZ with Combined IPL and LLLT Treatments
Specsavers is accelerating its rollout of advanced dry eye therapies across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), introducing low-level light therapy (LLLT) alongside intense pulsed light (IPL) in a bid to improve outcomes for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and other forms of dry eye disease. After a successful IPL pilot, the retailer’s clinical leadership greenlit a broader program designed to reach 100 stores in 100 days, with 80 stores already onboarded at the start of October.
The integrated approach marks a significant evolution in Specsavers’ clinical model, which aims to make high-quality dry eye care more accessible in store environments. By combining IPL and LLLT, optometrists can tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs, offering more options and the potential for better symptom relief.
What LLLT Brings to Dry Eye Management
LLLT uses low-energy LED light to stimulate cellular activity and promote tissue repair without relying on heat. This makes it a suitable option for patients who may not be ideal candidates for IPL, such as those with darker skin tones or aqueous-deficient dry eye. Dr Ben Ashby, Specsavers ANZ clinical services director, describes LLLT as a gentle, regenerative therapy that complements IPL’s mechanism of action.
“LLLT gives us a way to treat patients who aren’t suitable for IPL,” said Dr Ashby. “It’s a gentle therapy that works at the cellular level and is proving to be a powerful complement to IPL.”
The Eye-light device by Espansione, which Specsavers adopted, combines both IPL and LLLT on a single machine. This arrangement enables clinicians to deliver a cohesive, patient-specific treatment plan within a single session, streamlining care in busy practice environments.
Clinical Pathways and Patient Impact
Each advanced dry eye treatment course consists of four applications. The program’s design emphasizes safety, effectiveness, and accessibility, reinforcing Specsavers’ commitment to patient-centered care. To date, more than 4,200 IPL and LLLT treatments have been delivered in Australia, touching nearly 1,400 Specsavers patients.
Specsavers employs the SANDE (Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye) questionnaire to monitor severity and treatment outcomes. Early data indicate that after four treatments, about 90% of patients report symptom improvement, highlighting the tangible benefits of the two-therapy approach. The SANDE tool captures both frequency and severity of symptoms, providing a clear, quantifiable picture of patient progress.
An Access-First Clinical Model
The rapid rollout reflects both clinical demand and the practice’s operational readiness. Training—covering practical and theoretical aspects for optometrists and support staff—supports a seamless integration of the new therapies into routine care. The program’s pricing is transparent and designed to remain affordable while delivering meaningful relief for patients.
Dr Ashby emphasizes that the expansion is not just about adding new devices, but about expanding capacity to help more patients regain comfort and functionality. “We’ve seen patients regain comfort, clarity, and confidence—being able to read, work, or simply enjoy daily life without constant irritation or heavy reliance on eye drops,” he said. Store teams have responded with enthusiasm, eager to offer the service to more communities.
A Vision for the Future of ANZ Eye Care
The rollout is framed as a new benchmark in Specsavers’ clinical care, aiming to normalize access to advanced dry eye therapies across ANZ. By embedding treatment pathways within store networks, Specsavers seeks to deliver consistent, high-quality care while expanding awareness of dry eye management options among patients and providers alike.
“This is just the beginning,” Dr Ashby notes. “We’re committed to making advanced dry eye treatments available across ANZ and changing thousands of lives through better sight.”
