Long-Term Effects of Intense Pulsed Light Combined with Meibomian Gland Expression in the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) combined with meibomian gland expression (MGX) in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). BACKGROUND: Although IPL has been proven to be effective in the treatment of MGD, any report regarding its long-term efficacy is unavailable by now. METHODS: ). MGX was performed on both eyes. Meibomian gland yielding secretion score (MGYSS) and tear film break-up time (TBUT) were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after treatments. RESULTS: In the study eyes, MGYSS of both the upper and lower eyelids and TBUT improved at 1, 3, 6 months after treatments (p < 0.01). MGYSS in lower eyelids continued to improve at 9 months (p < 0.05). The changes in MGYSS and TBUT after treatment were larger in the study eyes than in the control eyes at 1, 3, 6 months (p < 0.01), but no difference at 9 months (p > 0.05). The percentage improvement in the MGYSS of lower eyelids after treatment was higher than that of upper eyelids. CONCLUSIONS: Three consecutive IPL treatments combined with MGX improved MG secretion function and TBUT by 6 months after treatment in MGD patients. The improvement in MG secretion function was greater in the lower eyelid than in the upper eyelid.