Preliminary results of treatment with intense regulated pulsed light in dry eye syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To describe the preliminary results of the use of Intense Regulated Pulsed Light (IRPL) in patients with Dry Eye Syndrome due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). Methods: A descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was performed in 32 patients diagnosed with Dry Eye Syndrome, in which treatment with IRPL was applied between April-December 2017 at the Ophthalmological Center Exilaser, in Cuenca, Ecuador. Three treatment sessions were performed on Day 0, Day 15 and Day 45. Absolute and relative frequencies, Pearson test and Fischer test were used for statistical analyses. Results: After treatment with IRPL, tear film breakup time (BUT) greater than 10 seconds was observed in 87.5% of the patients, with a correlation between treatment application and a BUT greater than 10 seconds. There was a decrease in the signs observed in the eyelid margin; this decrease was more evident in blepharitis cases. In 81.3% of the cases, a gentle pressure was enough when performing the gland expression, to obtain a clear liquid in 62.5% of the cases. All the OSDI test items showed improvement. Conclusions: Our results show an improvement of the clinical signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome due to MGD after a course of three IRPL sessions over a 45-day period. However, more IRPL studies with a longer follow-up are warranted.