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Dry eye is a chronic condition that can impact your comfort, vision, and overall quality of life. If your eyes feel gritty, irritated, or watery more often than not, you might be experiencing dry eye syndrome. At Bonney Lake Family Eye Care, we offer advanced treatments like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radiofrequency (RF) therapy to provide lasting relief.
 

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Symptoms can include burning, stinging, redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and a constant feeling like something is in your eye. While environmental factors and screen time can contribute, the root issue for many people is dysfunction in the meibomian glands.
 

Understanding the Root Cause

The meibomian glands are tiny oil-producing glands along the edge of your eyelids. These oils form the outer layer of your tear film and help prevent evaporation. When these glands become blocked or stop functioning properly, a condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction, it leads to instability in the tear film and chronic dry eye symptoms.
 

What Is IPL and How Does It Work?

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, originally used in dermatology, has emerged as a powerful treatment for dry eye caused by MGD. IPL uses gentle pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes. This light reduces inflammation, improves blood flow, and helps to clear blocked meibomian glands by liquefying and releasing hardened oils. It also reduces the presence of Demodex mites and bacteria that can worsen eyelid inflammation.
 

Patients typically undergo a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart. Over time, IPL helps restore the natural oil flow in the tear film, offering more consistent and long-term relief.
 

Radiofrequency (RF) for Dry Eye Treatment

Radiofrequency therapy is another effective tool in treating MGD. RF uses heat generated by high-frequency electrical currents to gently warm the skin and tissues around the eyes. This heat stimulates the meibomian glands, melts thickened oils, and encourages better gland function.
 

In addition to its therapeutic benefits, RF can promote collagen production, which can enhance eyelid tightness and overall eye comfort. Treatments are non-invasive, comfortable, and often described as feeling like a warm massage around the eyes.
 

Lasting Dry Eye Relief at Bonney Lake Family Eye Care

If you’ve tried artificial tears and over-the-counter solutions without long-term results, IPL and RF therapy might be the advanced treatments your eyes need. By addressing the root cause, these innovative therapies offer a path to lasting relief and healthier eyes.
 

If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms, schedule a consultation at Bonney Lake Family Eye Care and discover how personalized IPL and RF therapy can restore your comfort and vision. Visit our office in Bonney Lake, Washington, or call (253) 400-2128 to book an appointment today.