If you live with dry, irritated eyes, you know how frustrating it can be to get through the day. For many people, dry eye is a chronic condition that impacts comfort, vision, and quality of life. While artificial tears and prescription drops may offer short-term relief, they often don’t treat the true cause of the issue. That’s where intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy comes in.
Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. One of the most common underlying causes is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The meibomian glands, located along the eyelids, produce the oily layer of tears that prevents them from drying out too quickly. When these glands become blocked or stop functioning properly, the result is unstable tears and chronic dryness.
Over-the-counter eye drops or even prescription medications may provide temporary relief, but they often don’t address the clogged glands behind MGD. Warm compresses can help, but for many patients, they aren’t enough to restore healthy gland function. Without treating the source, dry eye symptoms often persist or worsen.
IPL therapy uses controlled pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes. This gentle light energy helps reduce inflammation, break down blockages in the meibomian glands, and restore normal oil flow into the tears. By targeting the root cause of MGD, IPL provides longer-lasting relief than surface-level treatments.
IPL can be an excellent option for patients whose dry eye is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, especially if they have not found lasting relief from traditional treatments. Ideal candidates often experience:
• Chronic burning, stinging, or irritation
• Fluctuating or blurry vision throughout the day
• Dependence on artificial tears for comfort
• Symptoms that worsen after screen time or in dry environments
At Franklin Vision Care, we take a personalized approach. Dr. Annedrea Morreale will conduct a thorough evaluation of your eyes and eyelid health to determine if IPL is the right treatment for you. If so, we’ll design a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs and lifestyle.
If you’re frustrated with persistent dry eye and tired of temporary fixes, IPL may be the breakthrough you’ve been looking for. By treating meibomian gland dysfunction at its source, IPL can provide long-lasting relief and improve your overall eye comfort.
Contact Franklin Vision Care to schedule your dry eye evaluation with Dr. Morreale to find out if IPL therapy is right for you.Visit our office in Franklin, Tennessee, or call (615) 488-9882 to book an appointment today.