Tired of Dry Eyes? Here’s What Actually Works
Having dry eyes is frustrating. They itch, burn, water when you are not even crying, and sometimes you just want to toss your eye drops out the window.
If you are reading this, you have likely already tried drops and are thinking: do they really fix the problem or just hide it?
And what is this IPL treatment people keep talking about? Does it actually work?
I’m going to walk you through what’s really going on with your eyes, what drops can do, what IPL can do, and how you can figure out what’s worth your time and money.
By the time you finish reading this, you’ll have a clear answer, so you don’t have to keep Googling.
Dry eye occurs when your eyes are unable to produce adequate tears or when your tears are of poor quality.
The condition could owe its origin to a number of reasons, including:
Natural Changes
- • Aging
- • Hormonal changes
Digital & Lifestyle
- • Screen use and digital eye fatigue
- • Blink mechanics
External Factors
- • Medication side effects
- • History of eye surgery
For Palo Alto patients seeking efficient, long-term solutions, it is important to know what treatment targets the cause rather than the symptom.
Eye Drops: Relief or Temporary Solution?
For years, medicated drops and artificial tears have been the go-to solution. They work by:
- • Lubricating the eye’s surface
- • Addressing inflammation (in the case of prescription drops)
- • Providing relief in the short term
While these drops offer instant relief, they might not address the problem at hand, especially if your dry eye is due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), the leading cause of evaporative dry eye.
In these cases, symptoms will reappear right away as soon as the drops wear off. This cycle creates frustration and ongoing reliance on eye drops several times a day.
What is IPL Dry Eye Treatment?
IPL therapy, or Intense Pulsed Light therapy, is a nonpainful, in-office procedure originally created for dermatological use. It has, however, been found to be very effective at treating MGD-associated dry eye.
How IPL Works
Pulses of warm light are directed around the eyelids and the cheeks
The light heals and decreases inflammation. It does so by closing down the unwanted superficial blood vessels that bring the inflammation to the eyes in the first place.
Helps to melts congealed oils that clog the Meibomian glands
Increases oil flow, enhancing the quality of tears and reducing evaporation
This treatment not only treats symptoms but attacks the cause of MGD, making it more of a long-term solution for many patients.
IPL vs. Eye Drops: A Head-to-Head Comparison
If you’re using eye drops every day and yet your eyes still feel uncomfortable, then it’s likely the right moment to consider a more comprehensive solution like IPL.
What the Research Says
A 2023 study in PubMed Central by Whang et al looked at 45 patients with MGD who had four IPL sessions plus gland expression. The results?
Tear Breakup Time
Improved
Oil Quality
Improved
Light Scatter
Reduced on eye’s surface
IPL didn’t just make the eyes feel better, it made them work better. And that’s something drops alone can’t do long-term.
What to Expect at Refine Optometry
At Refine Optometry, we don’t just start treatment blindly. We first run a full dry eye exam, including gland imaging and tear film analysis, to see exactly what’s causing your symptoms.
Your IPL Journey Will Include:
Comprehensive Exam
Identify the real cause of your dry eyes
Custom Treatment Plan
Usually 3–4 IPL sessions, 2–4 weeks apart
Ongoing Care
Follow-ups, lifestyle tips, and sometimes combining IPL with other treatments for the best results as we address the multifactorial cause of dry eye
Most patients notice improvement after the second or third session, with relief lasting long after the final one.
Is IPL Safe?
Yes. Dry eye IPL has been FDA-approved and is safe with an experienced specialist.
Our Palo Alto optometry clinic prioritizes your safety and comfort. Side effects are minimal and could be temporary redness or mild swelling around the treated site.
How to Choose What’s Right for You
If you experience:
Red, burning, or itchy eyes
A gritty or sandy feeling
Blurry vision that resolves with blinking
Lubricating drop dependence
Whether you need regular eye care in Palo Alto or assistance with chronic dry eyes, we’re on the job.
While drops are easy to use, they will only mask the problem. IPL therapy, on the other hand, alters things beneath the surface to aid long-term healing and improved eye function.
Final Thoughts
In the treatment of chronic dry eye, there isn’t a cure-all for all. Eye drops do bring relief, especially in milder cases or as add-on care. But for those who are battling moderate to severe dry eye, especially due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, IPL dry eye treatment is a more cutting-edge and long term solution.
At Refine Optometry, we take pride in our commitment to offering state-of-the-art treatments backed by science and delivered with empathy. Let us help you find relief from dry eye symptoms.