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. 2024 Oct;13(10):2715-2730.
doi: 10.1007/s40123-024-01017-7. Epub 2024 Aug 16.

Long-Term Impacts of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy on Ocular Surface Health and Tear Film Dynamics in Patients with Dry Eye Disease: Detailed Analysis and Observations Over a 1-Year Follow-Up Period

Cristina-Patricia Pac  1 , Mihnea Munteanu  1   2 , José-María Sánchez-González  3 , Carlos Rocha-de-Lossada  4   5   6   7 , Nadina Mercea  8 , Francis Ferrari  9 , Horia T Stanca  10 , Dan Andrei Radu Cosnita  1 , Mihaela Ionica  1 , Ovidiu Boruga  1 , Ciprian Danielescu  11 , Alexandru Blidisel  1
Affiliations

Long-Term Impacts of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy on Ocular Surface Health and Tear Film Dynamics in Patients with Dry Eye Disease: Detailed Analysis and Observations Over a 1-Year Follow-Up Period

Cristina-Patricia Pac et al. Ophthalmol Ther. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

Introduction: To evaluate the long-term effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy on patients with dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods: A retrospective case series was performed with 110 participants undergoing IPL therapy. Assessments included the eye fitness test (EFT) to gauge subjective symptoms, along with objective measures using the Tearcheck® device (ESW Vision, Houdan, France) noninvasive first breakup time (NIFBUT), noninvasive average breakup time (NIABUT), central tear meniscus height (CTMH), thinnest tear meniscus height (TTMH), and ocular surface inflammatory risk evaluation (OSIE) assessed using the SCHWIND SIRIUS device (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH, Kleinostheim, Germany).

Results: This study documented significant improvements in subjective and objective symptoms associated with DED and MGD. Subjective symptoms measured by the EFT showed an average increase of 9.74 points (range -10 to 28, standard deviation [SD] ± 7.54), indicating reduced symptoms. Objective measures of tear film stability, represented by NIABUT, increased by an average of 4.04 s (range -15.00 to 14.40, SD ± 4.91). Tear film stability evaluation (TFSE) scores decreased by 229.12 points on average (range -1775 to 528, SD ± 384.94), suggesting enhanced tear film stability. OSIE type 1 showed a reduction in inflammation, with a percentage decrease of 4.98% (range -45 to 5, SD ± 7.33). Additionally, OSIE capture time decreased by 3.25 s on average (range -27 to 22, SD ± 10.35), further indicating an improvement in ocular surface health.

Conclusion: IPL therapy was shown to be a promising, noninvasive approach for improving quality of life in patients with DED by effectively managing symptoms and stabilizing tear film. The findings support the use of IPL as a sustainable treatment modality for DED associated with MGD.

Keywords: Dry eye disease; Intense pulsed light therapy; Longitudinal study; Meibomian gland dysfunction; Ocular surface health; Tear film stability.

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Conflict of interest statement

Cristina-Patricia Pac, Mihnea Munteanu, José-María Sánchez-González, Carlos Rocha-de-Lossada, Nadina Mercea, Francis Ferrari, Horia T Stanca, Dan Andrei Radu Cosnita, Mihaela Ionica, Ovidiu Boruga, Ciprian Danielescu, and Alexandru Blidisel have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Eye fitness test (EFT) comparison, measured in score points
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Noninvasive first breakup time (NIFBUT) analysis, measured in seconds
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Noninvasive average breakup time (NIABUT) distribution, measured in seconds
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Central tear meniscus height (CTMH) measurements, measured in millimeters
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Thinnest tear meniscus height (TTMH) comparison, measured in millimeters
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Tear film stability evaluation (TFSE) scores, measured in score points
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Ocular surface inflammatory evaluation (OSIE) with fluorescein Thilorbin, measured in percentage
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Ocular surface inflammatory evaluation (OSIE) capture time, measured in seconds
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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