Dry eye syndrome is more common than most people think. It can also be a frustrating experience, making even the simplest tasks uncomfortable due to constant irritation and inflammation. Dry eye, recognizable by a chronic burning sensation, can easily get in the way of your everyday life. Fortunately, treatments like IPL or RF therapy are available to help.
IPL and RF treatments target the underlying cause of dry eyes. They’re non-invasive, in-office procedures designed to offer lasting relief. These treatments are safe, making them a popular choice for people looking to find relief from dry eyes.
What Is Dry Eye?
Normally, your tears protect your eyes and keep them hydrated. Tears are made up of three layers—an oily outer layer, a watery middle layer, and a mucusy inner layer. To function properly, these layers need to be properly balanced. However, sometimes this balance is thrown off.
When the tear film is unbalanced, the result is often a condition called dry eye. Dry eye develops when the tear film either:
- Doesn’t contain enough water to create enough tears, or
- Doesn’t contain enough oils to prevent tears from evaporating
This condition is extremely common. It can be chronic or temporary depending on the underlying cause. However, it’s irritating either way, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Your eyes and tear film are extremely sensitive. They’re also vulnerable to all kinds of internal and external factors. Dry eye often develops due to:
- Aging and hormonal changes
- Environmental factors like wind, smoke, or dry air
- Medical conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
- Side effects of medications, including antihistamines or antidepressants
- Reduced tear production or poor tear quality
These all make it harder for your eyes to protect themselves. If you regularly notice dry eyes, visit your optometrist. They can examine your tear film and find out what’s causing your symptoms. Then, they can create a treatment plan to help you find the relief you deserve.
Dry Eyes: Common Signs & Symptoms
So how can you tell if you’re dealing with dry eye? The common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Sensitivity to light
- Redness in the eyes
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
- Feeling like there is something in your eye
If these sound familiar, don’t ignore them. Dry eye isn’t just a short-term problem! It leaves your eyes exposed to bacteria, debris, and scratches—and these can all cause permanent vision damage.
Any discomfort is worth a visit to an experienced optometrist. There, you can talk with an eye care professional about dry eye treatments, like IPL and RF.
What Is IPL For Dry Eye?
IPL, or intense pulsed light, is a dry eye treatment. It’s entirely non-invasive, using gentle pulses of light to heat and open the meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing oils for the tear film.
IPL typically takes a few sessions to work. It targets the skin around the eyes and steadily reduces inflammation. Eventually, the meibomian glands reopen as blockages break down, and oils begin flowing to the tear film again.
IPL has long-lasting results and next to no downtime. It offers an effective way to safely find relief from dry eyes, and all it takes is a few minutes per eye!
What Is Radiofrequency For Dry Eye?
Radiofrequency treatment, commonly called RF therapy, is another effective approach for managing dry eyes. Instead of light, RF uses gentle heat created by radio waves. The heat penetrates deeper into the skin to melt oil blockages in the meibomian glands.
Once these blockages are removed, the glands begin producing oils again, restoring balance to the tear film. Meanwhile, RF also reduces inflammation.
After RF, you may notice mild redness or sensitivity in the treated area. This is normal, and it typically goes away within a few hours. RF is a safe procedure, making it another popular choice for people looking to find relief.
Tips For Preventing Dry Eye
Your dry eye treatment will depend on your specific circumstances. However, prevention is often easier than treatment—simple healthy habits can prevent future issues from developing.
To prevent dry eyes in the future, it helps to:
- Use a humidifier in dry environments to maintain moisture levels in the air.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- Add omega-3-rich foods like fish or flax seeds to your meals, as they support tear production.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from wind and UV exposure.
- Avoid aiming fans or any air circulation devices at your face.
Making proactive, healthy choices makes things easier for your eyes. If you ever notice irritation or other symptoms of dry eye, visit your optometrist to discuss treatments. Although dry eye is common, that doesn’t mean you have to deal with it alone!
Don’t Deal With Dry Eyes—We Can Help
Dealing with dry eyes day after day is frustrating. You don’t deserve to suffer in silence—not when our team at Village Optical can help! Book an appointment with our team today, and let our team help you find the relief you deserve.
