Comparison in treatment effect according to the IPL treatment area in meibomian gland dysfunction patients

Abstract

Aims/Purpose: We investigated whether there is a difference in the treatment effect according to the intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment site of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) patients.Methods: Patients who underwent 3 IPL treatment at 3‐week intervals were divided into groups A, B and C according to the treatment site (Group A, upper lid and lower lid; Group B, lower lid and lateral canthus; Group C, lower lid). Lid abnormality score (LAS), meibum expressibility (ME), meibum quality (MQ), lipid layer thickness (LLT), type I Schirmer test (ST), tear break‐up time (TBUT) test, and corneal staining scores (CFSs), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were obtained before the first and after the third IPL treatment.Results: Of 136 patients (136 eyes) were recruits, 45 (45 eyes) in group A, 56 (56 eyes) in group B, and 36 (36 eyes) in group C were included. LAS, ME, MQ, TBUT, CFS, and OSDI were significantly improved in group A, B, and C. The difference value of LAS before and after IPL treatment in group A and B were significantly greater than that of group C.Conclusions: Additional IPL treatment of upper lid and lateral canthus were considered to provide additional improvement in treating MGD patients.