[Research progress of intense pulsed light treatment on meibomian gland dysfunction and relevant dry eye diseases]

Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a broad spectrum incoherent light which is produced by high-output xenon lamp. Since the invention of the first-generation IPL in 1994, IPL technology has been developing rapidly and extensively utilized in multiple fields relevant to dermatology across the world. In 2004, the fourth-generation IPL system was introduced with the optimal pulse technology (OPT) and has soon been used for cosmetic purposes all over the world. In 2002, Dr. Toyos found that the meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and dye eye disease (DED)symptoms of the rosacea patients who received IPL treatment have been improving significantly, therefore he started to explore the application of IPL system to treatment of dry eye disease. Several recent clinical studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of IPL for improving the symptoms and signs of MGD and DED. However, the published data of IPL treatment for MGD and DED is limited, the mechanism of IPL treatment for MGD and DED remained unclear and more relevant researches needed to be done in the future. This article discusses the clinical application history and general mechanism of IPL, and introduces the treatment of IPL for MGD and DED. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 140-143).