Abstract
Purpose :
To determine the optimal number of treatment sessions and frequency of light pulses for Intense Pulsed light (IPL) to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) to achieve maximum therapeutic effect.
Methods :
Data were acquired from published articles on the Scopus database using the keywords “Intense Pulsed Light” and “Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.” Data extracted from publications were analysed using weighted generalised estimating equation models to determine the effectiveness of IPL treatment in relation to longitudinal changes in tear breakup time (TBUT) and ocular comfort (assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score (OSDI)) over 6 months compared to no treatment. The effect of treatment sessions, number of light pulses and device were also assessed for The IPL group. Each publication was factored as random effect and level of significance set at 5%.
Results :
Data were extracted from 28 selected publications (N =28 for IPL with 65 visits; N =14 for control with 35 visits). Summary data for TBUT and OSDI are presented in Table 1. Increased TBUT over time was modelled as a logarithmic function of follow up days (p<0.01), with a steep significant increase within 7 days and no significant change up to at least 2 months. In the IPL group, 4-8 pulses resulted in TBUT no different to 9-12 pulses (p=0.4), but higher than 1-4 and >12 pulses (p<0.022). TBUT was not different up to 3 treatment sessions (p=0.23) but was higher than >=4 sessions (p<0.005). TBUT was not different between M22 and E>Eye devices but was highest with EPI-C Plus. IPL resulted in significantly lower OSDI from day 7 and then plateaued at 30 days, lasting to at least 2 months. OSDI scores were lower and not different up to 12 pulses and up to 4 treatment sessions and highest with M22.
Conclusions :
IPL treatment demonstrates maximum effectiveness when administered with a pulse range of 4 -12 pulses per session, spanning three treatment sessions. The peak efficacy of treatment is observed quickly and lasts for at least 2 months.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.