How long does IPL for dry eye last​?

If you suffer from dry, sore, or watery eyes, you may have heard about IPL treatment.
Many people at My Eye Clinic in Gosforth ask:

“How long does IPL for dry eye last?”

This is a great question.
IPL can help many people feel more comfortable, but it is important to know what results to expect and how long they may last.

In this blog, we explain:

• What IPL is
• How IPL helps dry eyes
• How long results usually last
• How many treatments you may need
• What can affect how long IPL works
• How to keep your eyes feeling better for longer

What is IPL for dry eye?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light.
It uses gentle flashes of light around the eyes.

IPL helps people with dry eye caused by blocked eyelid oil glands.
These glands make oil that keeps tears from drying too fast.

When the glands are blocked:

• Tears evaporate quickly
• Eyes feel dry
• Eyes may burn, sting, or water
• Vision may blur

IPL helps unblock these glands and reduce inflammation.

How does IPL help dry eyes?

IPL works in a few important ways:

1. Reduces inflammation

IPL targets blood vessels that cause inflammation around the eyelids.
Less inflammation helps the glands work better.

2. Helps unblock oil glands

The heat from IPL softens the oil inside the glands.
This helps the oil flow more easily into your tears.

3. Improves tear quality

Better oil means tears last longer on the eye.
This reduces dryness and irritation.

4. Kills harmful bacteria

IPL can reduce bacteria on the eyelids that make dry eye worse.

When will I feel better after IPL?

Some people feel better after their first IPL session.
Others notice changes after the second or third session.

Common early signs include:

• Less burning
• Less watering
• More comfortable eyes
• Clearer vision
• Less gritty feeling

Dry eye is a long-term condition, so improvement can be gradual.

How many IPL sessions do I need?

Most people need a course of IPL, not just one treatment.

A common plan is:

• 4 to 5 IPL sessions
• Spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart

This gives the glands time to heal and start working properly again.

Your eye care professional at My Eye Clinic will suggest the best plan for your eyes.

How long do IPL results last?

For many people, IPL results can last 6 to 12 months.
Some people feel relief for even longer.

However, dry eye is a chronic condition.
This means symptoms can return over time.

The length of relief depends on:

• How severe your dry eye is
• How blocked your glands were
• Your daily habits
• Your environment
• Your overall eye health

Why IPL is not a permanent cure

IPL treats the cause of dry eye, but it does not stop aging or lifestyle factors.

Your oil glands can become blocked again due to:

• Screen use
• Stress
• Hormone changes
• Poor blinking
• Dry air
• Inflammation

This is why some people choose maintenance IPL treatments.

Do I need repeat IPL treatments?

Many patients benefit from:

• Top-up IPL sessions once or twice a year

These help keep glands open and symptoms under control.

Think of IPL like dental cleaning:

• Regular care helps prevent problems
• Waiting too long can allow symptoms to return

What helps IPL results last longer?

You can help your results last longer by:

1. Using warm compresses

Warm compresses keep oil flowing.

2. Cleaning your eyelids

Daily lid hygiene reduces bacteria and blockage.

3. Taking screen breaks

Blinking more helps spread tears.

4. Staying hydrated

Water supports tear production.

5. Using eye drops

Preservative-free drops support tear health.

6. Protecting your eyes

Wear sunglasses in wind or bright light.

7. Following your treatment plan

Stick to advice given after your IPL sessions.

Who benefits most from IPL?

IPL works best for people with:

• Evaporative dry eye
• Blocked oil glands
• Red eyelids
• Rosacea affecting the face or eyes
• Watery eyes caused by dryness
• Burning or gritty eyes

IPL may not be suitable for everyone, which is why an assessment is important.

Is IPL safe?

Yes. IPL is a safe and well-used treatment when done by trained professionals.

During IPL:

• Your eyes are protected
• Light is applied to the skin around the eyes
• The treatment is quick and gentle

Most people feel:

• Mild warmth
• A light snapping feeling

There is no downtime, and you can return to normal activities straight away.

Why a dry eye assessment is important

Before IPL, we carry out a full dry eye assessment at My Eye Clinic.

This checks:

• Tear quality
• Tear stability
• Oil gland health
• Inflammation
• Eye surface damage

This helps us decide if IPL is right for you or if another treatment would work better.

What if IPL is not right for me?

If IPL is not suitable, we may suggest:

• BlephEx®
• Prescription eye drops
• Lifestyle changes
• Other dry eye therapies

Your treatment plan is always tailored to your eyes.

Take our dry eye suitability self-test

Wondering if IPL could help your dry eyes?
Take our quick and simple dry eye suitability self-test to see if you may benefit from a dry eye assessment.

Take the test now.