Rapid Symptom Relief

Patients often experience noticeable reductions in dryness and irritation, with studies showing up to a 38% drop in symptom scores after just a few sessions. One review of multiple trials confirmed IPL cuts overall dry eye symptoms by an average of 16 points on standard scales compared to placebo.

Better Tear Film Stability

IPL cuts inflammatory proteins in tears and improves meibum texture, leading to more stable tears that don't evaporate as fast. RF adds by unclogging glands, increasing healthy oil secretion. Patients often report less dryness, burning, and discomfort after treatment.

Safety and Tolerability

Both therapies are well-tolerated with minimal side effects (like mild redness that fades quickly). No major risks reported in studies.

What is IPL Therapy?

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy helps treat dry eye by targeting the root causes of inflammation around the eyelids and meibomian glands. The light pulses reduce abnormal blood vessels that contribute to inflammation and help liquefy thickened oils in the glands, allowing them to flow more freely. This improves the quality of the tear film and reduces evaporation, leading to longer-lasting moisture on the eye’s surface. Additionally, IPL can help reduce bacterial buildup and mites (Demodex) that worsen gland dysfunction, providing relief and improving overall ocular comfort.  

IPL Effectiveness for Dry Eye

A clinical study with 80+ patients showed that adding IPL to standard gland expression works better than gland expression alone for dry eye caused by blocked meibomian glands.

Key improvements with IPL

• Tear film lasted ~50% longer (better stability, less burning/grittiness)
• Nearly twice as many oil glands started working again
• Oil quality became clearer and healthier
• Dryness symptoms improved 33% (vs 22% without IPL)
• Less pain during treatment

Safety: No serious side effects; only mild, temporary redness in a few cases.

These benefits, seen in randomized trials with hundreds of patients, typically build over 3–4 sessions and hold steady for weeks afterward, with minimal side effects*.

Speak with our dry eye specialists and discover how IPL may fit your dry eye plan!

*Sources: 

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32452923
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39611367/
• https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0270268

What is Radiofrequency Therapy?

Radiofrequency (RF) therapy helps relieve dry eye by gently heating the skin and tissues around the eyelids to stimulate the meibomian glands. This controlled heat melts thick or stagnant oils, allowing them to flow more easily and restore a healthy tear film. The warmth also improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and can stimulate collagen production, which supports better eyelid function. Over time, RF treatments help maintain gland health, reduce symptoms like burning or grittiness, and improve overall eye comfort and hydration.  

Effectiveness of Radiofrequency (RF) for Dry Eye

A 2023 study** of 47 patients with meibomian gland dysfunction showed clear, lasting benefits from a single RF treatment (Forma-I device)/

Key improvements with RF

• Dry eye symptoms improved significantly: SPEED score dropped from 15.7 to 9.6 and OSDI from 34.5 to 23.6 at 6 months.
• Tear breakup time nearly tripled (2.8 → 7.1 seconds).
• Meibomian gland function score improved from 5.6 to 22.9 (out of 33).
• 80% of eyes showed reduced surface damage.
• Most patients reported major symptom relief that lasted at least 6 months.
• Treatment was painless, required no downtime, and had zero side effects.

Safety: No side effects or complications were reported, making it a low-risk option compared to some other dry eye therapies.

Overall, this study shows RF can be a game-changer for dry eye, offering real, lasting relief without surgery or harsh meds.

Speak with our specialists to see if RF therapy right for you!

**Source:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1874364123000176

Low-Level Light Therapy: A Safe and Effective Adjunctive Treatment for Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a prevalent ocular condition characterized by tear instability, hyperosmolarity, and dysfunction of the lacrimal and meibomian glands, leading to discomfort, inflammation, and potential damage to the ocular surface. Traditional treatments often focus on symptom relief through artificial tears or anti-inflammatory agents, but emerging therapies like low-level light therapy (LLLT) offer a promising non-invasive alternative.

What is Low-Level Light Therapy?

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation, helps alleviate dry eye by using gentle, specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity and reduce inflammation around the eyelids and meibomian glands. This light energy increases mitochondrial function, improving tissue repair and restoring normal gland function. By reducing inflammation and unclogging blocked glands, LLLT enhances the quality and stability of the tear film. The result is improved lubrication, less irritation, and longer-lasting relief from dry eye symptoms—all without discomfort or downtime.  

DED Symptom Relief

Patients often experience noticeable reduction of eye pain, burning, grittiness, and overall calming of the ocular surface inflammation. Multiple trials show clear drop in corneal/conjunctival staining and pain scores. Most patients feel better after 2–4 sessions; benefits often last 3–12 months

Better Tear Film Stability and Tear Production

Trials have shown that tear break-up time (TBUT) usually increases by 2–5 seconds, with patients reporting less blurriness and longer comfortable screen time between blinks. Many have also said their eyes feel wetter and they need drops less often. The Schirmer test has shown a 30–100% improvement in most studies.

Restores Meibomian Gland Function

Trials have shown noticeable gland regeneration on meibography within 3–6 weeks, along with the production of thicker and clearer meibomian oil.

Before

After