Effect Of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy In Dry Eye Disease Patients With Different Severities Of Meibomian Gland Loss.

retrospective case-series study

This retrospective case-series study including 63 eyes from 63 patients with severe evaporative DED who received either IPL therapy four times. The primary efficacy parameters were ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) questionnaire, fluorescein tear breakup time (fTBUT), tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT), MG Score, meibomian gland (MG) quality, MG expressibility score and response rate were evaluated. All patients were divided into two group which was depended on the severity of meibomian gland loss. Patent reported responses, such as OSDI and SPPED questionaire, were compared in two groups. 

The OSDI and SPEED score were significantly improved from 51.4 ± 21.4 at baseline to 40.7 ± 21.1 (p < 0.05) and from 15.0 ± 5.7 at baseline to 11.0 ± 5.8 (p < 0.05) after complete four sessions. Measurements of TBUT, MG expressibility, vascularity had improvement but no clinical significance. In patients with milder MG loss, IPL can achieve earlier improvements in patient's response. 

Intense pulse light for the treatment of dry eye disease improves subjective symptoms of OSDI and SPEED score significantly. Patients with more severe MG loss may need more sesscions to appear good response. This treatment may be recommended for dry eye patients due to MGD.