Effects and Prognostic Factors of Intensive Pulse Light Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Effects and Prognostic Factors of Intensive Pulse Light Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

The investigators are going to Investigate the comparative efficacy of intense pulsed light therapy alone with that of intense pulsed light plus meibomian gland expression for meibomian gland dysfunction.

Enrolled patients are going to be randomly assigned to two groups. All of the patients will undergo four treatment sessions in total, which are two weeks apart. Group 1 will undergo two sessions of intense pulsed light therapy with meibomian gland expression, as well as two sessions of intense pulsed light alone. Group 2 will receive two sessions of intense pulsed light therapy alone, and two sessions of intense pulsed light therapy with meibomian gland expression. The following parameters will be measured at baseline, 2 weeks after the second treatment session, and 2 weeks after the fourth treatment session: tearfilm break-up time, Oxford grade for corneal staining, meibomian gland expressibility, meibum quality, and ocular surface disease index.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Clinical diagnosis of meibomian gland dysfunction

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical conditions in which IPL is contraindicated (pregnancy, breastfeeding, lupus, and any major uncontrolled health problem).
• Contact lens wearer
• Previous ocular surgery
• Previous thermal treatment for dry eye disease (e.g. LipiFlow)