Efficacy and safety of Intense pulsed light therapy for dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomised trial

Abstract

Background: This research explored the efficacy and safety of IPL in the treatment of dry eye caused by Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods: A total of 132 patients with dry eye caused by MGD were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into either the experimental group or the control group by random number table. The experimental group (n=66) was treated with intense pulsed light (IPL), and the control group (n=66) was treated with palpebral gland massage combined with a hot compress. The efficacy, the incidence of adverse events, and patients' levels of satisfaction with treatment were compared between the 2 groups. The quality score of the palpebral gland, the height of the lacrimal river, and the change of tear secretion function were analyzed using a generalized linear equation at different time points.

Results: The total effective rates of experimental group and control group were 90.2% and 80.0%, respectively, and the therapeutic effects of experimental group were better than those of the control group (P<0.05). In the generalized estimation equation, with the passing of time, the eyelid gland quality score for moderate and severe abnormality, the lacrimal river height measurements ≤0.35 mm, and the tear secretion measurements ≤5 mm all decreased (P<0.05). In addition, the moderate and severe abnormal eyelid gland quality score, the lacrimal river height measurements ≤0.35 mm and the tear secretion measurements≤5 mm of patients in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between two groups during treatment (P>0.05). In the satisfaction survey, patients who received IPL treatment had higher levels of satisfaction at 7 days and 30 days than those control group (P<0.05).

Conclusions: IPL is more effective in the treatment of eyelid gland dysfunction dry eye than a traditional eyelid gland massage combined with a hot compress. IPL effectively improves eye function and alleviates clinical symptoms and has good safety; thus, it can be considered for clinical application and promotion.

Trial registration: This study has been registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100045886).

Keywords: Dry eye; curative effect; generalized estimation equation; intense pulsed light (IPL); meibomian gland dysfunction.