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Updated: Apr 4, 2026
Intense Pulsed Light for the Treatment of Dry Eye Owing to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Published on: April 1, 2019
Age-Related Differences in the Efficacy of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Women
Satoshi Gotoda1, Yukihiro Sakai1, Tomoya Nishida1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Purpose:
Aging and hormonal factors influence meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which can be treated by intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. However, the influence of age on treatment response remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of aging on the outcomes of IPL therapy among female patients with MGD.
Patients And Methods:
Sixty-eight eyes of female patients who underwent four IPL treatment sessions were included. Patients were divided into two age groups: <50 years (39.5 ± 10.2 years, n = 30) and ≥50 years (72.5 ± 9.49 years, n = 38). Parameters assessed before and after IPL included corneal and conjunctival staining score, fluorescein tear film break-up time (FBUT), lipid layer thickness (LLT), subjective symptoms (Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness [SPEED] score), and meibomian gland parameters (meibum quality, expressibility, and meiboscore). Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests; p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.
Results:
At baseline, the younger group had lower LLT (p < 0.01) and poorer expressibility (p = 0.049) than did the older group, who showed worse corneal and conjunctival staining score (p = 0.04) and meiboscore (p < 0.01). After treatment, the younger group exhibited significant improvements in FBUT, LLT, meibum quality, expressibility, meiboscore, and SPEED scores, whereas the older group showed significant improvement in corneal and conjunctival staining scores, FBUT, expressibility, and SPEED scores. Between-group comparisons showed greater improvements in meibum quality and expressibility in the younger group (both p < 0.01), while improvement in corneal and conjunctival staining score was greater in the older group (p = 0.02).
Conclusion:
IPL therapy improved MGD-related signs and symptoms in women of all ages. The observed age-related differences in the most responsive parameters suggest that age affects the therapeutic profile of IPL. These results may help guide age-appropriate MGD management.
Insights
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy effectively treats meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in women. Younger patients showed greater improvements in meibum quality and expressibility, while older patients had better outcomes in corneal staining.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is influenced by aging and hormones.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a treatment for MGD.
- The impact of patient age on IPL treatment outcomes for MGD is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how aging affects the outcomes of IPL therapy in female patients diagnosed with MGD.
- To compare the effectiveness of IPL treatment across different age groups for MGD.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-eight female patients with MGD received four IPL sessions.
- Patients were categorized into two age groups: under 50 and 50 years or older.
- Key parameters evaluated included corneal/conjunctival staining, tear film break-up time (FBUT), lipid layer thickness (LLT), dry eye symptoms (SPEED score), and meibomian gland function (meibum quality, expressibility, meiboscore).
Main Results:
- Both age groups showed significant improvements in MGD signs and symptoms post-IPL.
- Younger patients (<50) demonstrated greater improvements in meibum quality and expressibility.
- Older patients (≥50) showed more significant improvement in corneal and conjunctival staining scores.
Conclusions:
- IPL therapy is beneficial for MGD in women across all age groups.
- Age influences the specific parameters that respond best to IPL treatment for MGD.
- Findings can inform age-tailored management strategies for MGD using IPL therapy.
