What is dry eye disease?

Dry eye disease is a chronic condition in which your eyes don't make enough quality tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly. This inflames the ocular surface and causes symptoms like burning, grittiness, fluctuating vision, and — confusingly — watery eyes. It's common and frequently underdiagnosed, especially with heavy screen use.

How is dry eye treated at OptiHealth Optometry?

Treatment begins with a focused evaluation to identify the specific cause, followed by a personalized plan. Options may include in-office therapies — intense pulsed light (Lumecca IPL), radiofrequency (Forma RF), and low-level light therapy (iLight LLLT) — alongside prescription drops, eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, and at-home maintenance. Because dry eye has multiple causes, the right combination is tailored to you.

What's the difference between IPL, radiofrequency, and LLLT?

All three target the inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction behind evaporative dry eye, using different forms of energy. IPL applies gentle light pulses to the skin around the eyes to calm inflammation and improve gland function; radiofrequency uses controlled warmth to support the eyelid glands and tear film; and LLLT uses low-level light to reduce inflammation. They can be used alone or combined into one plan.

Does dry eye treatment hurt?

Most patients tolerate these treatments well. IPL can feel like a quick, warm snap against the skin, radiofrequency feels warm, and LLLT is painless. Sessions are brief, and most people return to normal activities right away.

How many treatments will I need?

It depends on the type and severity of your dry eye. Many in-office protocols involve a short series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart, sometimes with periodic maintenance, since dry eye is a chronic condition. Dr. Yakubin will recommend a specific plan after your evaluation.

What happens during a dry eye evaluation?

Dr. Yakubin assesses your tear quality, eyelid and meibomian gland function, ocular surface health, blink patterns, and lifestyle or environmental contributors — often using meibography to image the glands. This pinpoints what's driving your symptoms so treatment is targeted rather than one-size-fits-all.

Is dry eye treatment covered by insurance?

A medical dry eye evaluation may be billable to insurance in some cases, while advanced in-office treatments like IPL, RF, and LLLT are typically elective and paid out of pocket. See the Fees & Insurance page for details, and I'll help you understand what to expect.

Can I wear contact lenses after treatment?

Yes — you can typically resume contact lens wear as usual after in-office dry eye treatments, unless your provider advises otherwise.

How do I know if I have dry eye?

If your eyes feel burning, gritty, tired, or watery — especially after screen time — you may have dry eye even if they don't feel 'dry.' The 1-minute dry eye symptom checker can help you gauge your symptoms, and an evaluation can confirm the cause.

Advanced dry eye treatment at OptiHealth Optometry in Santa Monica

In-Office Dry Eye Treatment Options and Pricing

Q: How much does dry eye treatment cost?

Cost depends on which therapies your plan includes. You can review current options on the Dry Eye Treatment Pricing page, and financing is available. I'll go over the recommended plan and pricing with you before anything begins.

Dry eye disease is a complex condition that can result from inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), poor tear quality, reduced tear production, or a combination of factors. Because each patient is different, treatment recommendations are individualized based on symptoms, examination findings, and treatment goals.

Patients throughout Santa Monica and the surrounding communities seek treatment for burning, irritation, fluctuating vision, redness, excessive tearing, and other symptoms of dry eye disease.

At OptiHealth Optometry, we offer several advanced in-office treatment options designed to improve comfort, support healthier tear production, and address the underlying causes of dry eye disease.

Treatment Options

Punctal Occlusion

Punctal occlusion (punctal plugs) helps retain tears on the surface of the eye by reducing tear drainage. This treatment may be recommended for patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye, particularly when natural tear production is reduced.

Learn more about punctal plugs

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) uses specific wavelengths of light to help reduce inflammation, support healthier tear production, and improve meibomian gland function. Sometimes referred to as Red Light Therapy, LLLT may utilize different wavelengths depending on the treatment goals. The treatment is gentle, non-invasive, and comfortable for most patients.

Learn more about LLLT

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) helps reduce eyelid inflammation, improve meibomian gland function, and decrease abnormal blood vessels that can contribute to chronic dry eye symptoms. IPL is often recommended for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular rosacea.

Learn more about IPL

Radiofrequency (RF)

Radiofrequency (RF) therapy gently warms the eyelids to help soften and clear blocked oils while supporting healthier meibomian gland function. RF is frequently used alongside other dry eye treatments to improve long-term gland performance.

Learn more about RF

Combination Therapy

Many patients benefit from combining therapies that address different aspects of dry eye disease. Depending on your examination findings, your treatment plan may include IPL, RF, LLLT, or a combination of these therapies.

Treatment Pricing

Dry eye treatment at OptiHealth Optometry in Santa Monica ranges from $150 to $700 per session depending on the therapy, with discounted multi-session packages available. We offer punctal occlusion, low-level light therapy (LLLT), intense pulsed light (IPL), and radiofrequency (RF) — alone or in combination — with financing through Cherry. The right plan depends on your symptoms and the underlying cause of your dry eye, determined at a comprehensive evaluation.

Individual Treatments

Treatment	Price
Punctal Occlusion	$175
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)	$150
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)	$450
Radiofrequency (RF)	$450
IPL + LLLT	$525
RF + LLLT	$525
IPL + RF	$600
IPL + RF + LLLT	$700

Treatment Packages

Package	Price
LLLT — 4 treatments	$540
LLLT — 6 treatments	$750
IPL — 4 treatments	$1,600
IPL — 6 treatments	$2,250
IPL + LLLT — 4 treatments	$1,900
IPL + LLLT — 6 treatments	$2,700
RF + LLLT — 4 treatments	$1,900
RF + LLLT — 6 treatments	$2,700
IPL + RF — 4 treatments	$2,200
IPL + RF — 6 treatments	$3,150
IPL + RF + LLLT — 4 treatments	$2,600
IPL + RF + LLLT — 6 treatments	$3,750

Package pricing saves $60–$450 compared with individual sessions. Financing available through Cherry.

Financing Available

We offer financing through Cherry for qualified patients. Financing may allow treatment costs to be divided into manageable monthly payments. Check to see if you’re eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best treatment for dry eye?

There is no single "best" treatment for every patient. The most effective treatment depends on the underlying cause of your dry eye symptoms. Some patients benefit from punctal plugs, while others may be better candidates for IPL, RF, LLLT, or combination therapy. A comprehensive dry eye evaluation helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

What is LLLT for dry eye?

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) uses specific wavelengths of light to help reduce inflammation, improve meibomian gland function, and support healthier tear production. The treatment is non-invasive, comfortable, and often used as part of a comprehensive dry eye treatment plan.

Is Red Light Therapy the same as LLLT?

Not exactly. Red Light Therapy is one form of Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT). While many people use the terms interchangeably, LLLT may utilize different wavelengths of light—including red, near-infrared, yellow, or blue light—depending on the condition being treated and the treatment goals. During your dry eye evaluation, Dr. Yakubin will determine the most appropriate treatment approach based on your symptoms and examination findings.

Does IPL help dry eye?

Yes. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) can help reduce eyelid inflammation, improve meibomian gland function, and decrease abnormal blood vessels associated with ocular rosacea and chronic dry eye disease. Many patients experience improvement in symptoms after a series of treatments.

How much does dry eye treatment cost in Santa Monica?

The cost of treatment depends on the type of therapy recommended. Individual treatments range from $150 for LLLT to $700 for combination IPL, RF, and LLLT therapy. Package pricing is available for patients who require a series of treatments.

How long does dry eye treatment take?

Most in-office dry eye treatments take approximately 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the procedure performed. Your treatment plan and expected visit length will be discussed during your evaluation.

Does insurance cover dry eye treatments?

Most advanced dry eye procedures, including IPL, RF, and LLLT, are considered elective treatments and are generally not covered by insurance.

Can I use my HSA or FSA for dry eye treatment?

In many cases, yes. HSA and FSA funds can often be used for eligible dry eye evaluations and treatments. We recommend checking with your plan administrator regarding your specific benefits and eligibility.

Do you offer financing for dry eye treatment?

Yes. We offer financing through Cherry for qualified patients. Financing may allow treatment costs to be divided into manageable monthly payments.

Can treatments be combined?

Yes. Many patients achieve the best results through a customized treatment plan that combines IPL, RF, LLLT, or other therapies.

Which treatment is right for me?

Treatment recommendations are based on your symptoms, meibomian gland function, gland loss, inflammation, and examination findings. During your dry eye evaluation, Dr. Yakubin will discuss the options most appropriate for your eyes and goals.

Do you treat dry eye patients in Santa Monica?

Yes. OptiHealth Optometry provides comprehensive dry eye evaluations and advanced dry eye treatments for patients in Santa Monica and surrounding communities, including West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Venice, and Marina del Rey.