DRY EYE TREATMENT & IPL
We find the cause — not just prescribe drops.
If your eyes feel dry, gritty, or tired no matter what you try, the problem usually isn't a lack of drops. It's blocked oil glands. We diagnose what's actually going on and treat the root cause — including IPL therapy for lasting relief.
UNDERSTANDING DRY EYE
Why your eyes feel dry — and why drops aren’t enough
A lot of people have been told "you have dry eye" but never had anyone explain what kind of dry eye, or what's actually causing it. There are different types, and the treatment depends on the diagnosis.
We assess your tear film stability, check the health and function of your meibomian glands, look for inflammation along your lid margins, and evaluate your blink pattern. It takes about 20 minutes, and we'll explain everything we find in plain language.
If your dry eye is caused by blocked meibomian glands — which it usually is — that's where IPL comes in. If it's something else, we'll tell you that honestly and recommend a different approach.
DO ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR
Common signs of dry eye disease
Dry eye isn't always obvious. You might not realise it's the reason behind some of these everyday frustrations.
If you're ticking several of these, it's worth getting a proper assessment. Dry eye is a chronic condition — it doesn't go away on its own, and it tends to get worse if the underlying cause isn't treated.
HOW WE DIAGNOSE
Finding out why your eyes are dry
A lot of people have been told "you have dry eye" but never had anyone explain what kind of dry eye, or what's actually causing it. There are different types, and the treatment depends on the diagnosis.
We assess your tear film stability, check the health and function of your meibomian glands, look for inflammation along your lid margins, and evaluate your blink pattern. It takes about 20 minutes, and we'll explain everything we find in plain language.
If your dry eye is caused by blocked meibomian glands — which it usually is — that's where IPL comes in. If it's something else, we'll tell you that honestly and recommend a different approach.
OUR TREATMENT
IPL therapy — treating the root cause, not just the symptoms
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. We use the E-Eye device — designed specifically for treating meibomian gland dysfunction, not a skin clinic device adapted for eyes.
It works by delivering gentle pulses of light to the skin around your lower eyelids. This targets the underlying inflammation and blocked blood vessels that are stopping your oil glands from working properly. Each session takes about 20–30 minutes, it's painless for most people, and there's no downtime — you can drive home straight after.
The treatment works across four sessions spaced over about three months (Day 1, Day 15, Day 45, Day 75). Most patients notice improvement by the third session, and the full course typically provides relief lasting 12–18 months.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS
Clinically proven to work.
IPL for dry eye is supported by multiple randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses — not just theory.
YOUR TREATMENT JOURNEY
What to expect — from first visit to lasting relief
Free IPL Suitability Consultation
15–20 minutes. We assess your dry eye, check your skin type, and let you know honestly whether IPL is the right option — or if something else would work better. No charge, no obligation.
Session 1 — Day 1
Your first IPL treatment. We place protective shields over your eyes, apply a coupling gel, and deliver the light pulses across your lower lids. Takes about 20–30 minutes. You might notice a warm, gentle sensation — that's normal.
Session 2 — Day 15
Two weeks later. The second session builds on the first. Some patients start noticing less dryness and irritation around this stage.
Session 3 — Day 45
This is typically where patients notice a real shift. Your oil glands are starting to function better, your tears are more stable, and the daily discomfort is fading. We'll check your progress.
Session 4 — Day 75
Final session. By now your meibomian glands should be functioning much better. We assess your improvement and discuss whether maintenance sessions are needed — typically one top-up every 12 months or so.
TRANSPARENT PRICING
No hidden fees. No surprises.
We believe you should know what something costs before you walk in.
Maintenance sessions available at a reduced rate. IPL is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
WHY CONCORD EYECARE
Why treat dry eye with us — and not a chain or a skin clinic?
Some skin clinics offer IPL for dry eye. And some chain optometrists are adding it to their menu. But there's a difference between offering a treatment and understanding the condition.
We're optometrists first. We diagnose and treat eye conditions every day. IPL is one tool in our toolkit — not the only thing we do. If IPL isn't right for you, we'll tell you that honestly and recommend what is.
All three of our optometrists are therapeutically endorsed, which means we can prescribe anti-inflammatory drops, antibiotics, or other medications directly. No sending you to a GP, no delays. We manage the whole thing under one roof.
At $800 for a full course, we're one of the most affordable IPL providers in Sydney — without cutting corners on the assessment or the care.
"Mark treated my dry eyes with IPL and I can't thank him enough. After my 3rd session I noticed an improvement, and by the 4th the dryness was almost completely gone. Now I can sit in front of the computer without any irritation. Really happy with the results."
Book a free IPL suitability consultation.
15–20 minutes. We'll assess your dry eye, examine your glands, and tell you honestly whether IPL is the right option — or if something else would work better. No obligation, no pressure.
Book Free ConsultationCOMMON QUESTIONS
Dry eye & IPL — your questions answered
Is IPL for dry eye covered by Medicare?
IPL treatment itself isn't covered by Medicare or private health insurance. However, your initial dry eye assessment may be bulk billed, and any prescriptions we write are eligible for PBS subsidies where applicable. The full IPL course is $800 all-inclusive.
Does IPL for dry eye actually work?
Yes — and the evidence is strong. Multiple randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses show that 80–93% of patients experience measurable improvement. Tear film stability, symptoms, and gland function all improve significantly. Read our detailed evidence review →
Is IPL painful?
No. Most patients describe it as a warm, gentle sensation around the eyes. We use protective eye shields throughout, and there's no downtime — you can drive home and go about your day straight after.
How long do the results last?
Most patients maintain improvement for 12–18 months after a full course. Some people benefit from a single maintenance session once a year to keep things on track. Research shows the benefits are cumulative — each session builds on the last.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. All three of our optometrists are therapeutically endorsed — we can diagnose, prescribe, and treat dry eye directly. No referral, no extra appointments.
Can I still use eye drops during treatment?
Yes — we'll advise you on which drops to continue and which to adjust. IPL works alongside your existing routine, not instead of it. The goal is to reduce your dependence on drops over time.
Who isn't suitable for IPL?
IPL isn't recommended for very dark skin types (Fitzpatrick V–VI), pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people on certain photosensitising medications. We assess suitability during the free consultation — that's what it's for.
What if IPL isn't right for me?
We'll tell you. Not everyone needs IPL — some dry eye responds well to therapeutic drops, warm compresses, lid hygiene, or a combination. We'll build a plan that fits your specific situation.
Dig deeper into dry eye
LEARN MORE
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Your eyes don’t have to feel like this forever.
Book a free IPL suitability consultation. 15–20 minutes, no obligation. We'll find out what's causing your dry eye and whether IPL can help.