Treatment Effect of Intense Pulsed Light and Thermal Pulsation Therapy on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-associated Dry Eye Disease: a Randomized Trial

Treatment Effect of Intense Pulsed Light and Thermal Pulsation Therapy on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-associated Dry Eye Disease: a Randomized Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to understand novel treatment methods for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated dry eye disease (DED) by comparing two treatment modalities- intense pulsed light (IPL) and thermal pulsation therapy (TPT), to find out the difference of their therapeutic mechanisms and treatment effects, so that eye doctors can give more precise advice to the patients when making treatment decisions.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• What subtype of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) better responds to which treatment modality?
• How long do the treatment effects last?

Researchers will compare each group (IPL and TPT) to a control group treated with eyedrops.

* Do combined treatment of IPL or TPT with eyedrops show better outcomes than only eyedrops?

Participants will:

• Receive different treatment for 2 months according to the group they were randomly allocated to.
• Visit the clinic for checkups after 1 and 3 months after completing the treatment sessions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• individuals diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction (MDG)-associated dry eye disease (DED) that are suitable for intense pulsed light (IPL) and thermal pulsation therapy (TPT)

Exclusion Criteria:

• ocular surgery or trauma in the recent 3 months
• ocular infection
• eyelid abnormalities (e.g., entropion, ectropion, lagophthalmos, severe ptosis or trichiasis)
• blepharospasm
• eyelid tumor
• severe meibomian gland atrophy
• allergic to topical anesthetics
• sunbathe in recent one month
• periocular fillers