Perioperative Intense Pulsed Light (Optilight) Treatment Improves Dry Eye In Corneal Refractive Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POREF047 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/70md-7h40
Authors: Dr Wenzai An* 1 , A/Prof. Fengju Zhang 1 , Dr Wenjuan Wang 1 , Dr Guoli He 1 , Dr Jihong Zhou 1 , Dr Jing Yao 1 , Dr Yan Gao 1
1Department of Refractive Surgery,Beijing Aier-Intech Eye Hospital,Beijing,China
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of perioperative intense pulsed light (IPL, OptiLight) therapy for dry eye management in patients undergoing corneal refractive surgery—either small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) or femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK)—by assessing improvements in both subjective symptoms and objective tear film parameters.
Setting
Single-center prospective clinical trial conducted in the Refractive Surgery Department at Beijing Aier Intech Eye Hospital, Beijing, China.
Methods
This randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with dry eye symptoms undergoing SMILE or FS-LASIK. The IPL device utilized Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT) to deliver pulse energy through a precision-guided 6.4-mm periocular light guide. Participants were randomized into IPL group or control group. The IPL group received three sessions (1 week preoperatively, and 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively). Control patients received sham light treatment. Evaluations included tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer’s test, tear lipid layer thickness, inflammatory biomarkers (MMP-9, IgE), and the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire. Follow-ups were performed at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.
Results
98 eyes from 49 patients (mean age 26.1 ± 4.9 years) were randomized to IPL (52 eyes: SMILE 31, FS-LASIK 21) or control (46 eyes: SMILE 30, FS-LASIK 16). Baseline characteristics were similar (all p > 0.05). IPL-treated eyes showed significantly greater improvements vs controls: SPEED (Δ−5.0 vs −2.0; p < 0.001), average TBUT (Δ+3.0 s vs +1.0 s; p = 0.011), Schirmer’s (Δ+2.0 mm vs 0 mm; p = 0.031), MMP-9 (Δ−0.4 vs −0.1 ng/mL; p = 0.014), and IgE (Δ−0.5 vs −0.1 IU/mL; p = 0.034). FS-LASIK patients showed numerically greater benefit than SMILE, though GEE interaction terms were not significant.
Conclusions
Perioperative IPL (OptiLight) treatment significantly improves signs and symptoms of dry eye in patients undergoing corneal refractive surgery. While FS-LASIK patients—who are more susceptible to postoperative dry eye—may benefit more than SMILE patients, this trend did not reach statistical significance. These findings support the potential integration of IPL therapy into perioperative dry eye management for laser vision correction candidates with preexisting symptoms