Issue: June 2017
May 11, 2017
1 min read
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Intense pulsed light therapy reduces dry eye signs, symptoms

Issue: June 2017
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LOS ANGELES — Patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease due to meibomian gland atrophy experienced improved signs and symptoms after intense pulsed light therapy, according to a speaker here

“On average, IPL reduced by more than half the number of signs and symptoms compatible with dry eye disease,” Steven J. Dell, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.

The prospective, single-arm study included 40 patients and was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of IPL therapy on dry eye symptoms. In four sessions spaced 3 weeks apart, patients underwent “ear-to-ear” applications with the Lumenis M22 Optima, with subsequent meibomian gland expression. Baseline values were compared with values at 9, 12 and 15 weeks, Dell said.

Dell noted that signs and symptoms were reduced in 93% of the patients, with IPL increasing tear break-up time by two-fold and improving tear osmolarity, meibomian gland scores and corneal fluorescein staining. – by Robert Linnehan

Reference:

Dell SJ. Efficacy of intense pulsed light for reducing signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in meibomian gland dysfunction: Prospective study. Presented at: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting; May 5-9, 2017; Los Angeles.

Disclosure: Dell reports he is a consultant for Abbott, Advanced Tear Diagnostics, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb, Lumenis and Optical Express. He reports he has investment interests and is a consultant for Presbyopia Therapies and Tracey Technologies.