Specsavers Expands Advanced Dry Eye Therapy Across ANZ
Specsavers has announced a major rollout of advanced dry eye treatments in Australia and New Zealand, introducing a combined IPL (intense pulsed light) and LLLT (low-level light therapy) service across the network. Following a successful IPL pilot, the company aims to reach 100 stores in 100 days, with 80 stores already online as of early October. The expansion underlines a shift toward more comprehensive, accessible dry eye care for patients suffering from meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and other forms of dry eye disease.
Why IPL and LLLT Together?
IPL has long been used to treat MGD by improving meibum quality, reducing gland blockages and dampening inflammation. LLLT, on the other hand, uses low-energy light to stimulate cellular activity and promote tissue repair, without relying on heat. By offering both therapies on a single device—the Eye-light by Espansione—Specsavers clinicians can tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs. This dual-therapy approach is designed to reach a broader spectrum of patients, including those who may not be ideal candidates for IPL alone.
A Patient-Centered, Personalised Treatment Model
Dr Ben Ashby, Clinical Services Director ANZ, emphasizes that dry eye care should deliver real, lasting relief, not just symptom management. The integrated IPL/LLLT strategy allows optometrists to develop personalised management plans, often combining both therapies to maximize outcomes. Each treatment course comprises four applications, designed to be safe, effective, and accessible in a routine store setting.
Why LLLT Matters
LLLT offers a regenerative mechanism that can benefit patients who may not respond optimally to IPL, including individuals with darker skin tones or aqueous-deficient dry eye. Dr Ashby notes that LLLT enables a gentler, cellular-level approach, complementing IPL rather than replacing it. The result is a more flexible treatment pathway that can address diverse dry eye etiologies.
Measuring Impact and Access
Specsavers uses the SANDE (Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye) questionnaire to quantify dry eye severity and monitor treatment outcomes. With four advanced dry eye treatments, the practice has reported that about 90% of patients experience symptom improvement. More than 4,200 IPL/LLLT treatments have been delivered to nearly 1,400 Specsavers patients in Australia, illustrating a meaningful clinical impact and growing patient confidence in the service.
Implementation and Training
The rapid deployment reflects both clinical demand and operational readiness. Training covers practical and theoretical aspects for optometrists and store teams, ensuring consistent, high-quality care as the network expands. Pricing is designed to be transparent and affordable, reinforcing the goal of broad access to cutting-edge dry eye therapies.
What This Means for Patients
For patients with dry eye symptoms, the double-therapy rollout promises more effective relief and improved daily function—whether reading, driving, or simply enjoying daily activities without irritation. The initiative aligns Specsavers’ clinical model with broader goals of improved access to advanced eye care, setting a new benchmark for how dry eye therapies can be delivered in community settings.
Looking Ahead
Dr Ashby describes this as the beginning of a broader transformation in patient care. By integrating IPL and LLLT into routine practice, Specsavers aims to extend advanced dry eye treatment across ANZ, positively impacting thousands of lives through better comfort and vision.
