If you find yourself reaching for eye drops throughout the day, rubbing your eyes during video calls, or fighting a gritty, tired feeling by mid-afternoon, you are far from alone. More than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with dry eye disease — and many more live with it without realizing how treatable it truly is.
A little while ago, we told you something new was on the way for our dry eye patients. It’s officially here: Acuity Vision now offers IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and RF (Radiofrequency) therapy — two advanced, in-office treatments that address the root cause of chronic dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
What Makes This Different
Most over-the-counter remedies offer only temporary comfort. IPL and RF therapy work deeper: IPL uses gentle, controlled pulses of light to calm the inflammation that drives dry eye and ocular rosacea. Its popular use in dermatology to restore a youthful appearance of skin led to the discovery that it also reduces symptoms of dry eye. RF uses soothing, controlled heat to soften clogged oil glands and restore healthy tear flow. Together IPL and RF help your eyes stay comfortable longterm, thus reducing reliance on artificial tears and prescription eyedrops.
Patients often see benefits such as:
- Less burning, stinging, and that gritty, sandy feeling
- Fewer watery, reflex-tearing episodes
- More stable, clearer vision throughout the day
- Improved contact lens comfort
- A refreshed look around the eyes — smoother texture, less redness and hyperpigmentation, thanks to collagen stimulation
Relief For Every Skin Tone
One of the biggest advantages of adding RF therapy is that it expands treatment to patients with darker skin tones, for whom IPL is not always appropriate. That means a personalized, effective dry eye plan is now available to more of our patients.
How Long Does It Take To See Results?
It is strongly recommended to complete about 4 sessions to get the maximum benefits of improved oil gland function and more stable tear film. Even though the first one or two treatments may give significant relief, stopping treatment too early may cause symptoms to return too soon. Other benefits from combining IPL with RF include a smoother, evenly toned complexion, a reduction of fine lines, and reversal of sun damage.
Part Of Our Complete Dry Eye Program
IPL and RF therapy join the comprehensive dry eye care we already provide — including BlephEx eyelid cleaning, meibomian gland expression, punctal plugs, prescription eye drops, and personalized at-home regimens. We tailor every plan to your symptoms, gland health, and goals. You can learn more about IPL and RF therapy here and explore our full dry eye therapy options.
Comfortable, With Little To No Downtime
Treatments are performed right in our office and are designed to be gentle. Most patients tolerate them very well, feel only a mild warmth, and return to their normal day immediately afterward.
Ready To Find Out If It’s Right For You?
If you have had an eye exam within the last 12 months, call us at 415-673-2020 or submit a request online to set up a Dry Eye Evaluation appointment. During your visit, we’ll evaluate your eye health, run tests on tear film, perform imaging, and discuss whether IPL and RF therapy — or another part of our dry eye program — is the right path to lasting comfort. If it has been more than a year since your last eye exam, book a comprehensive eye exam with us and we can thoroughly go over your health history to ensure that IPL and RF therapy are right for you. To book a comprehensive eye exam, you can book online here. If you are not sure what type of appointment you need, call us and we will be happy to assist you.
Want to understand your symptoms first? Read Dr. Schmidt’s article, “Dry Eye Disease: More Than Just an Annoyance.”
— Your Optometry Team at Acuity Vision Optometry Boutique
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