A randomized controlled study evaluating outcomes of intense pulsed light and low-level light therapy for treating meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye

PURPOSE: This randomized, controlled, blinded study evaluates the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy with low-level light therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and evaporative dry eye (EDE) compared to a control group. METHODS: Hundred patients with MGD and EDE were randomized into control (50 subjects, 100 eyes) and study group (50 subjects, 100 eyes). The study group underwent three sittings of IPL with LLLT 15 days apart and were followed up 1 month and 2 months after the last treatment sitting. The control group underwent sham treatment and was followed up at the same intervals. The patients were evaluated at baseline and 1 month and 3 months (post 1(st) treatment) for dry eye. Schirmer’s test and tear breakup time (TBUT), OSDI, meibomian gland expression, and meibography. RESULTS: The study group showed significant improvement in OSDI scores (P < 0.0001) compared to the control group and a significant improvement in TBUT (P < 0.005) compared to the control group. There was no change in schirmer’s test and an improvement in the meibomian gland expression but not significant. CONCLUSION: The results show that a combined therapy of IPL with LLT is effective in treating MGD with EDE compared to controls, and repeated treatment sessions have a cumulative effect on the disease outcomes.