Services / Dry Eye Management
If your eyes feel dry, gritty, burning, or tired by the end of the day, eye drops aren't your only option. Dr. Nathan Lipe offers in-office dry eye treatment with IPL (intense pulsed light) and RF (radiofrequency) on the InMode Envision — treating the most common cause of chronic dry eye, not just the symptoms.
Book a Dry Eye EvaluationWhat Is Dry Eye
Most chronic dry eye isn't about making too few tears — it's about tear quality. The meibomian glands along the edges of your eyelids make the oily layer that keeps your tears from evaporating.
When those glands get blocked or sluggish, called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), your tears evaporate too fast no matter how many drops you use. Left untreated, chronic dry eye can damage the surface of the eye over time.
Common Symptoms
Quick Self-Check
1. Do your eyes feel dry, gritty, or sandy?
2. Do your eyes burn or sting?
3. Do your eyes feel tired or irritated after screen time?
4. Does your vision blur, then clear when you blink?
5. Do your eyes water for no clear reason?
6. Do you use eye drops often, or do your contacts get uncomfortable during the day?
This quick check is for general education only and is not a diagnosis. We don't ask for your name or any personal information, and nothing you select is saved or sent anywhere.
Our Approach
Every dry eye patient starts with a dry eye evaluation. Dr. Lipe reviews your symptoms with a standard dry eye questionnaire, then looks at what's actually causing them:
We assess the quantity and quality of your tears to understand how your tear film is breaking down.
Most chronic dry eye is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). We check for blockages or dysfunction in the oil-producing glands of your eyelids.
We examine the surface of your eye for inflammation, corneal changes, or damage caused by chronic dryness.
Based on your diagnosis, Dr. Lipe builds a treatment plan targeting the specific cause of your dry eye — not just the symptoms.
In-Office Treatment
For patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, we treat the glands directly — right here in our office — using two technologies on the InMode Envision.
Lumecca IPL (intense pulsed light). Gentle pulses of light are applied to the skin around the eyes. IPL helps reduce the inflammation and tiny abnormal blood vessels around the eyelids that contribute to gland dysfunction. Your eyes are covered with protective shields the whole time.
Forma RF (radiofrequency). Controlled, soothing warmth is applied to the eyelids and surrounding skin. The heat softens thickened oils inside blocked glands so they can flow again. Most patients say it feels like a warm massage.
Gland expression. After IPL and RF, Dr. Lipe gently presses on the eyelids to clear the softened oils out of the glands. Numbing drops are used for comfort.
Most patients need 4 to 6 treatments, spaced about 4 weeks apart to match your skin's natural renewal cycle. Each session builds on the one before.
We also use the same IPL and RF technology for stubborn styes and chalazia.
May Also Be Part of Your Plan
What to Expect
Before your first treatment. You'll start a simple at-home routine about 2 weeks ahead: daily warm compresses, lid hygiene, and omega-3s. This gets your glands ready to respond. We'll also review your medications and ask you to avoid tanning and heavy sun on your face.
At your visit. Plan on about 45 minutes. Come with a clean face (no makeup or mascara) and take out your contact lenses. Your first session is intentionally conservative so we can see how your skin responds.
After your treatment. Your vision may be slightly blurry for 15 to 20 minutes. After IPL, mild redness and warmth, like a light sunburn, usually fades within a few hours to a day. Most people go right back to their normal activities. For 7 days after IPL, you'll wear sunscreen daily.
When you'll notice results. Dry eye treatment is gradual. Most patients notice a real improvement around their third or fourth treatment. The goal is to restore how your glands work and reduce how much you depend on eye drops.
Patients consistently highlight Dr. Lipe's thoroughness and his ability to finally solve dry eye that other providers missed.
We don't just prescribe drops. We find out why your dry eye is happening and treat that — not just the symptoms.
Lumecca IPL and Forma RF treatment on the InMode Envision, done right here in our West Nashville office — no referral needed.
Located at 5300 Centennial Blvd Suite 107 in The Nations, West Nashville. Free parking including covered spots out back.
Candidates
You may be a good candidate if you have chronic dry eye symptoms, have been diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction, or have tried drops and warm compresses without lasting relief.
IPL works best and is safest on Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV (light to medium-brown skin). Dr. Lipe checks your skin type at your evaluation so your treatment is matched to your skin.
Dr. Lipe will go over your health history at your evaluation to confirm treatment is safe for you.
Tell Us Before Treatment If
Your initial dry eye evaluation is usually covered by medical insurance. The IPL and RF procedures themselves are not covered by insurance, so we'll go over the cost with you at your evaluation, before anything is scheduled. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
FAQ
Schedule a dry eye evaluation with Dr. Lipe and find out whether IPL and RF treatment is right for you. 5300 Centennial Blvd, Suite 107 · Mon–Thu 9–6, Fri 9–1 · Free covered parking out back.