IPL and RF for Dry Eyes

Looksie Optometry offers state-of-the-art Intense Pulsed Light and Radiofrequency therapies that can significantly improve dry eye symptoms over a longer term.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) uses gentle bursts of light to heat the skin around the meibomian glands in the eyelids, which helps to melt any blockages or hardened oil buildup within them, allowing for better oil secretion. It’s been scientifically shown to enhance tear quality, reduce inflammation, and alleviate discomfort.

Radiofrequency (RF) therapy uses a type of electromagnetic wave to apply a controlled heat to various layers of tissue around the eyelids. This not only helps to melt blockages or hardened oil buildup in the meibomian glands, but it also stimulates collagen production that supports tear production.

IPL and RF are often used together because they tackle different aspects of dry eye — IPL focuses on reducing inflammation while RF focuses on stimulating long-term health and function of the meibomian glands.

Learn more about the treatments in our blog

How to Get Started

First, it’s important to determine if these treatments are right for you. If you suffer from moderate to severe dry eye symptoms, Looksie will start by conducting a comprehensive dry eye evaluation, where your optometrist will discuss various solutions and assess if you’re a good candidate for IPL and RF.

Book a Dry Eye Evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I choose either IPL or RF therapy, or do them together?

When possible, we recommend doing both IPL and RF because they target different aspects of dry eye. While each treatment is still effective on its own, IPL and RF together are shown to have better long-term outcomes for patients.

However, not everyone is a good candidate for both procedures. For instance, IPL is not suitable for patients who have certain skin conditions, who are taking certain medications, or who have a history of skin cancer. Your optometrist will evaluate these factors during your dry eye evaluation and recommend the best course of treatment.

How many treatments do I need?

How long do the treatments take, and is there any downtime required after them?

If you’re doing both IPL and RF, the session only takes about 30 minutes. There is no downtime required afterward, and most patients can easily drive, return to work, and go about their day.

Patients should avoid sun exposure as much as possible during the course of treatment, which means lots of sunscreen and no sunbathing.

Are IPL and RF therapies painful?

Generally, both treatments are tolerated very well, with most patients reporting little to no pain. IPL may produce some mild discomfort described as a warm, tingling feeling, but it quickly subsides. RF is described as feeling like a warm compress around the eyes.

Are there any side effects of IPL or RF?

Many patients do not experience side effects from IPL or RF treatments, but some report temporary redness or swelling, sensitivity to sunlight, or stinging that feels like a mild sunburn. All of those side effects usually resolve in a couple hours or 1-2 days.

More rare and serious side effects include blistering, cheek swelling, conjunctival cyst, and floaters. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your optometrist immediately.

What is the cost of IPL and RF treatments?

A single treatment ranges from $450-550. Looksie offers package pricing that includes discounts for multiple sessions and multiple therapies. Contact us at admin@looksieoptometry.com or (415) 593-5348 for more information on pricing.

Are dry eye treatments covered by insurance?

Unfortunately, IPL and RF are generally not covered by insurance.

However, your initial dry eye evaluation is eligible to be covered by medical insurance, including Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Blue Shield of California. Contact us at admin@looksieoptometry.com or (415) 593-5348 to see if Looksie accepts your medical insurance.