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Updated: Oct 10, 2025
Intense Pulsed Light for the Treatment of Dry Eye Owing to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Published on: April 1, 2019
Factors influencing the clinical outcomes of intense pulsed light for meibomian gland dysfunction
Chen Chen1,2, Di Chen1,2, Yu-Yu Chou1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
To observe the clinical outcomes of intense pulsed light (IPL) for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and identify its influencing factors.Forty-eight eyes of 48 patients with MGD were included. Subjects were followed up 5 times on day 1, day 15, day 30, day 45, and day 120, and underwent 3 sessions of the IPL treatment on day 1, day 15 and day 30. Gender, age, duration of MGD, time of video display terminal usage, and severity of MGD were recorded at baseline. At every visit, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), eyelid margin abnormality score, tear film breakup time, Schirmer I test (S ɪ t) and corneal fluorescein staining were recorded. The clinical parameters before and after 3 IPL treatments were compared. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore influencing factors.Compared with baseline, the tear film breakup time was increased and the corneal fluorescein staining score and OSDI were significantly decreased on day 45 and day 120 (all P < .001). In univariate analysis, among the patients with a younger age (18-39 years), moderate MGD, higher baseline S ɪ t and higher baseline OSDI, the IPL treatment had a higher effective rate (P = .032, .004, .024, and .014 respectively). The MGD severity was strongly associated with effective IPL, and patients with moderate MGD had an OR of 22.454 compared with the severe MGD patients (OR = 22.454, 95% CI: 2.890-174.436, P = .003).IPL effectively improves clinical symptoms and some signs in MGD patients. Age, MGD severity, baseline S ɪ t and baseline OSDI are potential factors that may influence the clinical outcomes of IPL. MGD severity is an independent influencing factor.
Insights
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy significantly improves meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) symptoms and signs. Moderate MGD severity, younger age, and higher baseline Schirmer I test and OSDI scores predict better IPL treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common cause of evaporative dry eye.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a novel treatment modality for MGD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical outcomes of IPL treatment for MGD.
- To identify factors influencing the effectiveness of IPL therapy in MGD patients.
Main Methods:
- Forty-eight patients with MGD received three IPL sessions.
- Clinical parameters including Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear film breakup time, Schirmer I test, and corneal staining were assessed.
- Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine influencing factors.
Main Results:
- IPL treatment significantly improved tear film breakup time and reduced OSDI scores and corneal staining.
- Younger age, moderate MGD severity, and higher baseline Schirmer I test and OSDI scores were associated with higher effective rates.
- MGD severity was a significant independent predictor of IPL treatment success.
Conclusions:
- IPL therapy is effective in improving clinical symptoms and signs of MGD.
- Patient age, MGD severity, and baseline ocular surface parameters influence IPL treatment outcomes.
