Treating dry eye with radiofrequency

For those who suffer from dry eye symptoms, a new technique may help to provide relief. Radiofrequency treatment is a non-invasive, in-office procedure. It's already used to tighten skin around the eyes and reduce fine lines or bags under the eyes. It is now being adopted as a dry eye syndrome treatment.

The therapy utilizes a handheld device that emits high-frequency electrical currents, which heat up the inner layer of the skin and can also help stimulate the meibomian glands, which are responsible for keeping the surface of the eye moist including the rate at which your tears evaporate.

The heat generated by the electrical currents in radiofrequency treatment can help restore normal meibomian gland function and in turn reduce the symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

Radiofrequency only takes about 10 - 20 minutes per session and is pain-free and treatment can take place over 2 to 4 weeks. Typically, it takes 3 to 4 treatments before noticing a difference. A clinical trial is currently underway to determine the effectiveness of the therapy and the trial is set to conclude in May 2022.