Burning, scratchy eyes, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision can make dry eyes difficult to ignore. These symptoms may develop when the eyes produce too few tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Understanding the cause helps your doctor choose treatment.
For people with dry eyes linked to poorly functioning eyelid oil glands, research highlighted by InMode University suggests that combining radiofrequency (RF) and intense pulsed light (IPL) may offer additional benefits.
Tiny meibomian glands in the eyelids release oil into your tears. This oil slows evaporation. When the glands become blocked or their oil thickens, tears can evaporate too quickly—a problem called meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD.
Artificial tears can ease mild dry eye symptoms. Other treatments may be needed depending on the cause. An eye examination can assess how much tear fluid you make, how quickly it dries up, and the condition of your eyelids.
Radiofrequency (RF) delivers controlled warmth to help soften thickened oils within the eyelid glands. Intense pulsed light (IPL) uses light pulses to target abnormal blood vessels and inflammation around the eyes. Combining them may address both oil obstruction and inflammation.
The study featured by InMode evaluated Forma-I RF and Lumecca IPL technology, comparing patients who received either treatment alone with those who received both.
Jennifer Tsai, OD, published the study in Clinical Ophthalmology in June 2026. It included 286 adults with MGD-related dry eye.
The researcher reviewed existing patient records. Patients completed four treatment sessions, with assessments before treatment and approximately one and three months afterward.
All groups improved. InMode’s summary describes the combination group as showing the most consistent improvements across several measures of symptoms and eye health.
Patients completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI): a 12-question survey about eye symptoms and their effect on daily activities during the previous week. Scores range from 0 to 100; lower means fewer difficulties. A score of 0–12 falls within the normal range.
Here are the average questionnaire scores — not percentages or vision-test results:Â
| Treatment | Before treatment | Final follow-up |
| RF alone | 22.27 | 8.29 |
| IPL alone | 18.09 | 6.20 |
| RF + IPL | 22.70 | 3.61 |
All three final averages were within the normal range. Combination therapy produced the greatest improvement, significantly exceeding either treatment alone. Group averages do not mean every patient had the same response.
Doctors also examined the eye surface. Combination treatment produced greater improvement in corneal staining, a test that highlights surface damage.
For patients with dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, this study offers an encouraging reason to consider combined treatment: patients receiving both RF and IPL experienced greater improvement in dry eye symptoms than those receiving either treatment alone.
The combination also produced greater improvement in corneal staining—a clinical test that reveals damage to the eye’s surface. These findings show benefits in both how patients felt and what the doctor observed during examination.
RF and IPL address different contributors to dry eye. RF provides controlled warmth to help soften thickened oils in the eyelid glands, while IPL targets inflammation and abnormal blood vessels around the eyes. Using them together may address more of the factors contributing to discomfort.
This research strengthens the case for combining RF and IPL as part of a personalized treatment plan for MGD-related dry eye. At Benjamin Eye Institute, we can assess your gland health and discuss how a combined approach could help improve your eye comfort.
If the dry eye keeps returning, tell us what you notice and when it bothers you most. Bring your questions about treatments you have tried and the relief you hope to achieve.
At Benjamin Eye Institute, Dr. Arthur Benjamin and our team can evaluate your eyes and discuss whether RF, IPL, or another approach belongs in your personalized treatment plan.
Call or text (310) 275-5533 to schedule a dry eye consultation.
9201 West Sunset Boulevard, Suite 709
West Hollywood, CA 90069
You look in the mirror and see skin hanging over your upper lids. You look tired. People ask if you slept badly. The obvious fix seems simple: remove the extra skin.
It isn’t always that simple, and when the real cause is missed, the result can be worse than where you started.
With age and gravity, the eyebrow can descend. When it drops below the bony rim of the eye socket, skin that should sit under the brow is pushed down onto the upper lid. It looks like extra eyelid skin. But the problem is the position of the brow, not the amount of skin in the lid.
Many patients also compensate without knowing it. They lift their brows all day to keep the lids open, which can cause tired forehead muscles, headaches and a constant sense of fatigue.
If the brow is low and surgery removes only lid skin, three things can follow:
Your eyelids, brows, tear film and cornea work together as one system. Form follows function. An eyelid operation that looks good for a month but leaves the eye uncomfortable for years has failed.
As an ophthalmologist who performs eyelid surgery, Dr. Benjamin plans each case from the inside out. He looks at:
Depending on what the examination shows, the right plan may be:
We start with the gentlest option that will work and use surgery when surgery is the right answer.
Start with an evaluation that looks at the whole picture: brow, lids, tear film and eye health. Then you will know whether blepharoplasty, a brow lift, a combination, or something else will really give you the result you want.
Call 310-299-2056 to schedule an eyelid evaluation with Dr. Benjamin.
You are tired of reaching for glasses before you reach for your phone. Contacts burn by evening. You have read about LASIK, PRK, ICL and now something called SMILE, and every article seems to say a different one is “the best.”
Here is the honest answer we give every patient: there is no such thing as the best vision surgery. There is only the best surgery for you.
SMILE stands for small incision lenticule extraction. It corrects nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism, using a single laser treatment and no flap.
Using the laser, we create a thin, lens-shaped piece of tissue inside the cornea. We then remove it through a small incision of only a few millimeters. Taking out that tissue changes the shape of the cornea, and your eye now focuses light correctly. The surface of the cornea is left largely intact.
SMILE is performed on the Zeiss VisuMax 800, the only one available in Los Angeles. Dr. Benjamin performs the procedure personally at Specialty Surgical Center in Beverly Hills.
With SMILE added, Benjamin Eye Institute now offers every modern option for vision correction: PRK, LASIK, SMILE, Visian ICL and refractive lens exchange. That matters for you, because a practice with only one tool tends to recommend that tool. We have no reason to steer you toward any of them.
Your prescription is a useful starting guide, though it is not the only factor. For nearsightedness, this is how we typically think about it:
| Nearsighted prescription | Options we typically consider first |
| Up to about –2.00 | PRK or LASIK |
| About –2.00 to –6.00 | LASIK or SMILE |
| Beyond –6.00 | Visian ICL |
These are guidelines, not rules. Corneal thickness and shape, the amount of astigmatism, your age, how dry your eyes are, your work, and the sports you play can all move the best answer up or down this chart. That is why your examination matters more than the number on your prescription.
SMILE treats nearsightedness and nearsighted astigmatism. It does not treat farsightedness.
None of these is better in every eye. Each is the right choice for some patients and the wrong one for others.
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons good vision surgery leaves a patient disappointed. Before any procedure, we evaluate and treat the surface of your eye so that measurements are accurate and healing goes well. Because SMILE does not create a flap, many patients have less dryness afterward than they would with a flap-based procedure. Dry eye can still occur with any procedure, which is why we prepare for it in advance.
If SMILE is the right choice, you will have it done by the surgeon who planned it. If it isn’t, we will tell you so and show you the option that is.
Call 310-299-2056 to schedule a vision correction consultation with Dr. Benjamin.
If corrective lenses are holding you back from living life to the fullest, you’re not alone. And while LASIK promises the vision but corrective lenses are holding you back from living life to the fullest, you’re not alone. While LASIK offers the freedom and clarity you dream of, we understand that surgery can feel like a big decision.
That’s why we created the No-Regrets LASIK Guide — a tool to empower you with the right questions to ask your provider. Plus, we’ve already answered them for you! Still have questions? Reach out anytime. We're here to ensure your peace of mind.
LASIK can improve nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatic vision. But factors like age, eyeglass prescription, and even physical health impact your potential success and recovery.
Basic criteria include:
Choosing the best solution for your vision also requires an understanding of your lifestyle, visual demands, and hobbies. That’s why at Benjamin Eye Institute, we listen first. If LASIK isn’t the best solution for your situation, we’ll be honest with you—and then recommend other treatments better suited to your needs.
You’ll want a LASIK surgeon who has significant education, expertise, and experience with the procedure. But their knowledge shouldn’t begin and end with only LASIK. Why? Because, as the saying goes, if you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail. When all a physician knows is LASIK, they’re less likely to consider other options that may serve you better.
To get a complete picture of a surgeon’s qualifications, ask:
Dr. Benjamin holds degrees from Cornell University and Duke University School of Medicine. He acquired his ophthalmology training at the world-renowned Jules Stein Eye Institute at the UCLA School of Medicine.
Since 1994, Dr. Benjamin has seen more than 250,000 patients and has personally performed more than 30,000 ocular surgeries.
At Benjamin Eye Institute, we evaluate your concerns from every angle and offer thoughtful solutions that best protect your vision for life. In addition to LASIK, we offer cataract care, cosmetic treatments, dry eye treatment, glaucoma support, retina services, and general eye health.
Dr. Benjamin is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a member of both the California Association of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, serves on the leadership team for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. He also volunteers as an assistant clinical professor at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, where he teaches residents and medical students the latest surgical and medical advances in ophthalmology.
Other physicians not only frequently refer their patients to Dr. Benjamin, but they also trust him with their own eyesight. As a world-renowned ophthalmologist and eye surgeon, he has an unparalleled reputation as a “doctor’s doctor.”
The best LASIK providers value quality care over their bottom line—and their equipment and technology will reflect this priority. State-of-the-art diagnostic tools and advanced surgical lasers are worth the investment because they deliver the safest, most precise vision correction.
Unlike most LASIK providers, we own our diagnostic equipment and have an in-house surgical suite, which means everything is fine-tuned specifically and only for Dr. Benjamin. He has everything dialed in to perform his craft at his absolute best.
In addition, our advanced climate control protects the precision of our lasers, and our filtration system prevents bacteria from contaminating the environment. As a whole, our office is spotless, well-organized, and run by compassionate, patient-focused individuals.
We care about every aspect of your experience, so you never have to worry about mishaps or misunderstandings.
Your LASIK investment will depend on several factors, including the degree of vision correction required, the technology used, and the surgeon’s experience and skill.
While it may be tempting to choose a discounted version of LASIK, remember this procedure is irreversible. You truly can’t afford to choose cost over quality.
During your initial consultation at Benjamin Eye Institute, we’ll explain your treatment options and provide a detailed explanation of every related cost so there are no unpleasant surprises. For those who qualify, we offer 0% interest financing for two years through Care Credit, and our guarantee provides peace of mind that your investment will be worth it. (More on that in #5!)
When you receive LASIK from an expert physician who uses the most sophisticated technology available, you can expect your vision to be better than it was with your corrective lenses.
Occasionally, LASIK patients require an enhancement procedure within the first year post -surgery to fine-tune their vision.
But chances are, you won’t. Because Dr. Benjamin takes the time to accurately diagnose his patients upfront—and because he uses exceptionally precise equipment—only 1-3% of his patients require enhancement. That’s 5x lower than the industry average of 15%.
Don’t let your glasses and contacts hold you back from living your life to the fullest. Patients often say LASIK is the best decision they’ve ever made. Here are your next steps:
Take your next step toward being free to see!
Once upon a time, you probably went about most of your day, most days, not giving your eyes much thought. Like any vital organ—your heart, your lungs, your skin—your eyes just did their job without complaint.
Redness. Itchiness. Occasional blurriness. Irritation—like something’s in your eye all the time.
Suddenly, all you can think about is the fact that you have eyes. And they are angry. So you’ve been reaching for products that promise fast relief. Who wouldn’t? Dry eye is absolutely miserable!
But if you’re like most people, you now have a drugstore-sized collection of over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops. You’ve tried every “all-in-one,” “fast-acting,” “total comfort” drop out there—and nothing’s helping.
OTC eye drops simply can’t offer a complete solution.
What are tears, anyway? Tears are a viscoelastic structure. (Viscous fluids don’t flow easily and elastic fluids expand in all directions.) They’re made of three layers, and if the quality or quantity of any of the layers is disrupted, your tear film will be unstable—which is what leads to dry eye symptoms. :
In general, redness relief drops try to counter dry eye symptoms by increasing the amount of either oil or water. Why not both? Because, as you might recall from first-grade science class, oil and water don’t mix.
It’s simply not possible to have an “all-in-one” solution—so the best you can do is try drop after drop after drop until you find something that sorta-kinda works. It’s so frustrating!
But what about “artificial tears”?
Many artificial tears are better at offering lubrication than traditional eye drops. However, with excessive use, they can work too well—washing away your natural tears and/or the oil that prevents tears from evaporating. The result? More dry eye symptoms.
Before you put anything in your eyes, it’s best to consult with a qualified ophthalmologist.
Let’s have a quick (promise!) physiology lesson.
At the first sign of irritation, your eyes complain to your brain—and your brain responds by expanding the tiny blood vessels in your eyes to allow more blood flow and promote natural healing. This process, called vasodilation, makes those blood vessels more visible, which is why dry eyes appear red.
Here’s the problem: The active ingredient in “redness relief” drops is a vasoconstrictor, which means it instructs those blood vessels to clamp down again—preventing the very thing your eyes need to feel and look better. But that’s not all: With extended use, the blood vessels tend to dilate more when the vasoconstrictor wears off. And so you reach for your drops again. And again. And again.
This is called rebound hyperemia, and it sets up your poor eyes for nothing but misery.
The combination of contacts and redness-relief drops is particularly troublesome for a couple of reasons:
At best, redness relief drops only treat the symptoms of dry eye without treating the underlying cause.
And because we’re talking about your vision, it’s critical to understand what’s really behind it all.
Dry eye has multiple causes. Some are specific to your eyes, such as wearing contacts or recent LASIK surgery. Others are related to your overall health, such as hormonal changes associated with menopause or certain thyroid conditions. Environmental conditions (hello, Santa Ana winds!) and work requirements (spend much time on a computer?) can also contribute to dry eye.
In the vast majority of cases, dry eye will not resolve on its own. In fact, the condition gradually worsens over time—especially with excessive use of OTC eye drops. And in many cases, dry eye causes irreversible damage. That’s why early detection and intervention are so critical.
With the use of advanced diagnostic tools to identify the root cause and inform a clear path forward, your eyes can be kept healthy for the long term.
We know you want to look, feel, and see your best. That’s really tough to do when your eyes are red, irritated, and itchy. Life’s too short to put up with dry eye, and getting relief is easier than you think.
Even if you feel like you’ve tried everything, we can help.
You have undergone pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft or amniotic membrane graft. This procedure removes the abnormal fibrovascular tissue invading the cornea. Diligent UV protection and proper use of all prescribed medications are critical to prevent recurrence and ensure lasting clarity.
Dr. Benjamin has prescribed Prokera Slim — an FDA-cleared biological medical device that reduces inflammation, suppresses scarring, and restores the surface of your eye.
You have been prescribed treatment with the Valeda Light Delivery System because you have been diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Congratulations on your procedure. Blepharoplasty rejuvenates the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess skin, fat, and muscle. Careful adherence to these instructions is essential for a safe recovery and the best possible aesthetic result.