Liz Risenberg is the associate vice president and head of the Vision Business Unit at Lumenis, a company that develops energy-based solutions for the aesthetic and vision markets. Lumenis was the inventor of SLT and OptiLIGHT IPL for dry eye disease. Ms. Risenberg leads the company’s research and development, product, marketing, and clinical teams, as well as the global commercial rollout of the Lumenis Vision (Eye Care) business. 

Ophthalmology Management: Last year, Lumenis launched the OptiLIFT device for toning and tightening preorbital muscles. Can you explain how it works?

LR: As we age, our facial muscles weaken and sag, including the orbicularis oculi. Our muscles—specifically the facial muscles—are the structure supporting the tissue of our face, keeping it toned and lifted when we are young. As we lose muscle quality, we start to lose that support, leading to a saggy appearance. Around the eyes, those changes are characterized by the appearance of lower lid laxity and reduced tone in this area, which can lead to incomplete blinking. Due to the descent of the lower eyelids, lid closure is affected, which may affect the ocular surface and decrease tear breakup time. Dry eye patients with lower lid laxity are 2 times more likely to develop severe ocular surface symptoms.¹

What OptiLIFT does is strengthen the muscles in the periorbital area, addressing the gravitational descent of the lower lids. OptiLIFT’s Dynamic Muscle Stimulation Technology (DMSt) uses electrical pulses to trigger nerve signals, activating facial muscles and inducing contractions. DMSt also tones and tightens the muscles around the eyes, which in turn addresses lower lid laxity. The treatment protocol for patients is 4 treatments, 1 week apart, and 7 minutes per side. The treatment is also comfortable for patients, with no down time.

A peer-reviewed study conducted last year by James Chelnis, MD, FACS, found that Lumenis DMSt resulted in at least a 75% decrease in lower lid laxity; a 286% improvement in tear breakup time; at least 60% improvement in eyelid appearance; and at least 70% improvement in blinking quality.²

OM: Can you discuss the benefits the OptiLIFT provides to ophthalmology practices?

LR: The need for OptiLIFT actually came from ophthalmologists reaching out to us. For patients who suffer from lower lid laxity, there’s a functional/mechanical aspect (lower lid laxity leads to impaired blinking), in addition to the inflammatory aspect, which is addressed with OptiLIGHT, and ophthalmologists couldn’t truly address it before. In severe cases, they would send these patients for blepharoplasty, or in minor cases, they would instruct them to use night ointments or taping, without actually addressing the root cause: the aging of the muscles. This also affects their ability to have a patient undergo refractive surgery. This is highly prevalent and 60% of symptomatic dry eye disease patients suffer from impaired lid closure.^3,4 Now, ophthalmologists can tone the muscles and address lower lid laxity in a nonsurgical manner.

OM: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

LR: What inspires me about what we do is how much it really affects all of our lives. From a personal perspective, my mom had undergone cataract surgery, but her dry eye and lower lid laxity were not addressed prior to surgery. She started to experience a variety of symptoms almost immediately following surgery, and was on an ongoing routine of drops, discomfort, and numerous doctor visits. We have finally started her on an OptiLIGHT treatment protocol for her dry eyes, and OptiLIFT to tone the muscles around her eyes and address lower lid laxity. OM

References

1. Doan S, Zagórski Z, Palmares J, et al. Eyelid disorders in ophthalmology practice: results from a large international epidemiological study in eleven countries. Ophthalmol Ther. 2020;9(3):597-608. doi:10.1007/s40123-020-00268-4

2. Chelnis JG, Chelnis A. Dynamic muscle stimulation of the periorbital area for improvement of blinking in dry eye patients. Clin Ophthalmol. 2025;19:1057-1071. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S513989

3. Korb D, Blackie C, Nau A. Prevalence of compromised lid seal in symptomatic refractory dry eye patients and asymptomatic patients. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58:2696.

4. Korb DR, Blackie CA. Treating inadequate lid seal in patients with dry eye using an overnight ointment reduces discomfort upon awakening and overall dry eye symptoms. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016;57(12):6189.