Intense Pulsed Light Treatment Research Articles

Changes in the Meibomian Gland After Exposure to Intense Pulsed Light in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) Patients

ABSTRACTPurpose: To observe (1) changes in meibomian gland (MG) after exposure to intense pulsed light (IPL) and (2) to understand the mechanism by which IPL treats meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in patients.Methods: A cohort study, including 35 MGD patients, was conducted. IPL treatment was administered in one group (IPL group; n = 18), and eyelid hygiene in another (control group; n = 17) for 3 months. All patients were given artificial tears during the treatment period. Associated ocular-surface indexes (ocular surface disease index, OSDI; tear breakup time, TBUT, Schirmer 1Test, corneal staining, and conjunctival staining), MG function, MG macro-morphology, and MG micro-morphology were examined before and after treatment. The relationships between the change in symptom score and the change in the other indexes (related ocular-surface indexes, MG functional indexes, and MG morphological indexes) were evaluated.Results: There was no statistical difference in pretreatment between the IPL and the control groups in terms of age, gender, related medical history, MGD stage, and all examined indexes, with the exception of conjunctival staining. OSDI, TBUT, meibum quality, MG expressibility, and MG dropout improved after treatment in both of the two groups (all P < 0.05). The MG microstructure indexes, including the MG acinar longest diameter (ALD), MG acinar unit density (AUD), and the positive rate of inflammatory cells (ICs) around glandular structures were significantly improved in the IPL group. No improvements of microstructure were found in the control group.Conclusion: IPL treatment improves the symptom score of patients, associated ocular-surface indexes, MG function, and MG macrostructure as well as eyelid hygiene. And IPL treatment particularly improves MG microstructure and decreases MG inflammation in MGD patients.

Open-label study assessing the efficacy and tolerability of topical skincare and sun protection products following intense pulsed light treatment.

The visible signs of photodamage can be improved by intense pulsed light (IPL). Active ingredients in cosmeceuticals also have effects on skin quality and pigmentation, and can camouflage post-treatment side effects. Combination therapies utilizing different treatment modalities have been shown to optimize clinical outcomes for skin rejuvenation and patient satisfaction. To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of IPL with a daily topical skincare and sunscreen regimen for the treatment of facial photodamage and for the improvement of IPL treatment tolerability. Twenty female subjects with moderate-to-severe facial photodamage, with past history of IPL treatments, received one IPL treatment followed by the use of the topical skincare regimen for 8weeks. An investigator assessed facial photodamage and hyperpigmentation at baseline, week 4, and week 8, and postprocedure erythema. Subject questionnaires were also administered at each visit. Compared to baseline, there was a significant improvement in photodamage and hyperpigmentation of bare facial skin. The application of the skincare regimen resulted in a significant reduction in post-IPL erythema, stinging/burning, and itching. The majority of patients were very satisfied or satisfied and felt the treatment regimen improved various aspects of skin quality and the tolerability of the procedure. The addition of a topical skincare regimen after IPL treatment to the face resulted in significant improvements in facial photodamage and pigmentation, decreased post-treatment side effects, and increased tolerability.

Controlling the crack formation in inkjet-printed silver nanoparticle thin-films for high resolution patterning using intense pulsed light treatment

During the last years, intense pulsed light (IPL) processing has been employed and studied intensively for the drying and sintering of metal nanoparticle layers deposited by means of printing methods on flexible polymer substrates. IPL was found to be a very fast and substrate-gentle approach qualified for the field of flexible and large-area printed electronics, i.e. manufactured via roll-to-roll processing. In this contribution, IPL is used for the fine-patterning of printed silver nanoparticle layers. The patterning is obtained by induced and controlled crack formation in the thin silver layer due to the intense exposure of IPL. The crack formation is controlled by selection of the substrate material, the fine-tuning of the morphology of the silver layer and an application of a dielectric layer on top of the silver layer that acts as a stress concentrator. Careful optimization of the IPL parameters allowed to adjust the lateral width of the crack. This novel approach turned out to be a fast and reproducible high-resolution patterning process for multiple applications, e.g. to pattern the source-drain electrodes for all-inkjet-printed thin-film transistors.

The use of intense pulsed light therapy in the treatment of acne vulgariss

Intense pulsed light (IPL) is not the single most effective treatment for acne vulgaris. However, light therapy can result in a significant short-term improvement in symptoms, making IPL a low-risk, accessible treatment modality for this skin condition. Research is starting to show the benefits of tailoring or combining IPL with other treatments; although undoubtedly an important factor in the effectiveness of any IPL treatment remains the competency of the practitioner themselves. The ability to take a holistic overview of the patient's symptoms, and then customise and target interventions, is key to a treatment plan optimally tailored to meet individual needs. The majority of studies in this area have involved small sample groups and reviewed short-term outcomes. With this in mind, more in-depth studies are required if aesthetic practitioners are to understand the full potential of IPL in the treatment of acne.

Evaluation of short-term effect of intense pulsed light combined with meibomian gland expression in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction

Objective: To explore short-term effect of intense pulsed light (IPL) combined with meibomian gland expression in treating meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-masked, controlled study. Forty-four MGD patients were enrolled in the study and received three consecutive IPL treatments with an interval of 4 weeks. One eye of each patient was randomly assigned as the study eye receiving the IPL therapy with an energy of 14-16 J/cm(2), and the fellow eye was as the control eye receiving a placebo therapy with 0 J/cm(2). Meibomian gland expression was immediately performed after the IPL treatment in both eyes. Efficacy was evaluated through assessment of the meibomian gland yielding secretion score (MGYSS) , SPEED questionnaire, tear film break-up time (TBUT), cornea fluorescein staining and infrared meibography. Safety was evaluated through best spectacle corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp examination and fundus examination. These examinations were performed before and after each treatment. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the MGYSS and TBUT after IPL treatments (P<0.05). The improvements compared to the baseline of MGYSS at the upper eyelid in the treatment eyes were significantly higher than those in the control eyes after the first treatment (Z=-2.036, P=0.003). The improvements compared to baseline of MGYSS at the lower eyelid and the TBUT in the treatment eyes were significantly higher than those in the control eyes after the second treatment (Z=-2.999 and -2.036, respectively P=0.007 and 0.042, respectively). SPEED and cornea fluorescein staining were decreased in both eyes after IPL treatments, but there was no statistical difference between the two eyes. No obvious complication was observed in the study. Conclusions: IPL treatment combined with meibomian gland expression is an efficient and safe therapy, and can increase meibomian gland yielding secretion, increase the TBUT, relieve the symptoms and repair the corneal epithelium defects for MGD eyes. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 675-681).

Lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) association with cancerous lesions

The development and use of light and lasers for medical and cosmetic procedures has increased exponentially over the past decade. This review article focuses on the incidence of reported cases of skin cancer post laser or IPL treatment. The existing evidence base of over 25 years of laser and IPL use to date has not raised any concerns regarding its long-term safety with only a few anecdotal cases of melanoma post treatment over two decades of use; therefore, there is no evidence to suggest that there is a credible cancer risk. Although laser and IPL technology has not been known to cause skin cancer, this does not mean that laser and IPL therapies are without long-term risks. Light therapies and lasers to treat existing lesions and CO2 laser resurfacing can be a preventative measure against BCC and SCC tumour formation by removing photo-damaged keratinocytes and encouraged re-epithelisation from stem cells located deeper in the epidermis. A review of the relevant literature has been performed to address the issue of long-term IPL safety, focussing on DNA damage, oxidative stress induction and the impact of adverse events.

Analysis of Cytokine Levels in Tears and Clinical Correlations After Intense Pulsed Light Treating Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

To investigate the change from baseline of inflammatory markers in tears of dry eye disease (DED) subjects owing to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) after intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment and meibomian gland expression (MGE) compared to sham treatment, and the correlations with ocular surface parameters. Randomized, double-masked, controlled study. Those randomized into the active treatment arm received 3 consecutive treatments (14∼16 J/cm2) approximately 4weeks apart in the periocular region. Control eyes received 3 treatments in the same intervals of 0 J/cm2. Tear samples in all eyes were collected and analyzed at baseline, week 12, and/or week 4 for interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-6, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The correlations between cytokines and ocular surface parameters were analyzed before and after IPL treatment. All of the inflammatory markers declined in value compared to baselines. IL-17A and IL-6 showed statistically significant decreases compared to sham treatment at each measured time point. PGE2 showed statistically significant decreases compared to sham at week 12. Results showed that the expressions of IL-17A and IL-6 correlated well with ocular surface parameters of the lower eyelid before IPL. The changed values of IL-6 and PGE2 in tears correlated with the changed values of partial ocular surface parameters after IPL treatment in study eyes, respectively. The study results suggest that IPL can significantly reduce inflammatory markers in tears of patients suffering with DED owing to MGD after IPL treatment. These findings indicate that IL-17A and IL-6 play roles in the pathogenesis of DED owing to MGD, and the reduction of the inflammatory factors is consistent with the improvement of partial clinical symptoms and signs.

In vitro studies to evaluate the effect of varying culture conditions and IPL fluencies on tenocyte activities.

Tendons are dense, fibrous connective tissues which carry out the essential physiological role of transmitting mechanical forces from skeletal muscle to bone. From a clinical perspective, tendinopathy is very common, both within the sporting arena and amongst the sedentary population. Studies have shown that light therapy may stimulate tendon healing, and more recently, intense pulsed light (IPL) has attracted attention as a potential treatment modality for tendinopathy; however, its mechanism of action and effect on the tendon cells (tenocytes) is poorly understood. The present study therefore investigates the influence of IPL on an in vitro bovine tendon model. Tenocytes were irradiated with IPL at different devise settings and under variable culture conditions (e.g. utilising cell culture media with or without the pH indicator dye phenol red), and changes in tenocyte viability and migration were subsequently investigated using Alamar blue and scratch assays, respectively. Our data demonstrated that IPL fluencies of up to 15.9J/cm2 proved harmless to the tenocyte cultures (this was the case using culture media with or without phenol red) and resulted in a significant increase in cell viability under certain culture conditions. Furthermore, IPL treatment of tenocytes did not affect the rate of cell migration. This study demonstrates that irradiation with IPL is not detrimental to the tenocytes and may increase their viability under certain conditions, thus validating our in vitro model. Further studies are required to elucidate the effects of IPL application in the clinical situation.

Microbial inactivation and effects of interrelated factors of intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Intense pulsed light (IPL) inactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for different pulse repetition rates (2–15 Hz) and widths (0.15–1.5 ms) were described using the double Weibull model and their energy incidents were compared. The values of the regression coefficient (R2), RMSE (root mean sum of squared errors), accuracy factor (Af), and bias factor (Bf) strongly suggested that the model provided a good fit to the data, and they were coupled with the fluence for the first log reduction (FR) to compare the energy incidents of different treatments. The incident was higher for a lower pulse repetition rate or a longer pulse width. Moreover, in order to examine the effects of interrelated factors on the IPL fluence in terms of energy efficiency, we proposed several terms: the VF value is defined as the increase in the voltage required for a 1-J/cm2 increase in the fluence, and the zprr and zpw values are defined as the increases in repetition rate and width of the pulses, respectively, that result in one unit increase in the VF value. By using these terms, the effects of pulse repetition rate and width on the IPL fluence were analyzed and predicted for further investigation.

시중 판매 후추의 오염도 및 회분식 광펄스 처리에 의한 살균 효과

시중에서 판매되고 있는 후추 29종을 수거하여 오염도를 조사한 결과, 전통시장에서 구입한 후추는 일반세균 <TEX>$10^6-10^7$</TEX>, Bacillus <TEX>$10^4-10^5$</TEX>, 효모와 곰팡이 <TEX>$10^2$</TEX> 이하의 오염도를 보였고, 유기농 제품으로 판매되는 후추의 경우에는 일반세균 <TEX>$10^4$</TEX>, Bacillus <TEX>$10^2-10^3$</TEX>, 효모는 <TEX>$10^1$</TEX> 이하의 오염도를 나타내었다. 대형마트에서 판매되고 있는 후추는 낮은 오염도를 나타내었으나 일부에서는 일반세균이 <TEX>$10^3$</TEX> 정도의 오염도를 보였다. 전압 1,000 V, 펄스수 5 pps, 시료와 램프사이의 거리 4 cm의 조건에서 10분간 광펄스 처리하였을 경우 통후추는 1.45-1.55 log, 흑후추분말과 백후추분말은 0.8-0.85 log의 사멸율을 나타내었다. 살균 용기의 차이에 따른 살균율에는 유의적인 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 광펄스에 의한 후추의 살균율은 오존처리나 감압방전프라즈마 살균 등 다른 비가열 살균방법에 비해서는 높은 사멸율을 보여 산업적 적용 가능성을 보였으나, 추가적인 연구를 통해 살균 효과를 높일 수 있는 방법이 제시되어야 할 것으로 판단된다. Twenty-nine pepper products commercially available in the market were collected and investigate for contamination levels. Pepper products purchased from traditional markets had a degree of contamination of <TEX>$10^6-10^7CFU/g$</TEX> aerobic bacteria, <TEX>$10^4-10^5CFU/g$</TEX> Bacillus sp., and less than <TEX>$10^2CFU/g$</TEX> yeast and molds. Organic pepper showed a degree of contamination of <TEX>$10^4$</TEX> aerobic bacteria, <TEX>$10^2-10^3$</TEX> Bacillus sp., and less than <TEX>$10^1$</TEX> yeast and molds. Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment of 10 min (1,000 V, 5 pps and 4 cm sample-to-lamp distance) showed a bacterial death rate of 1.45-1.55 log for whole peppers, and of 0.8-0.85 log for black and white pepper powder. The sterilization rate using IPL was higher than that using other non-thermal sterilization methods, such as ozone treatment or low-pressure discharge plasma sterilization, indicating that the IPL sterilization method may find potential application in the industry. However, further studies may need to be conducted to enhance the effect of sterilization.

Construction of a pilot-scale continuous-flow intense pulsed light system and its efficacy in sterilizing sesame seeds

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify the decontamination level of a laboratory-scale intense pulsed light (IPL) system and compared with that of newly constructed pilot-scale system in our laboratory. Sesame seeds, in which the initial microbial load was 10 4 –10 5 CFU/g, were treated by laboratory-scale IPL treatment at a total fluence of 39.85 J/cm 2 . 0.86 log microbial reduction was achieved and adding a mixing step increased this to a 1.02 log reduction. We concluded that combining a mixing process and powerful IPL is essential to decontaminate sesame seeds satisfactorily, and so a pilot-scale IPL device in which the sample is placed in a cyclonic flow was designed and constructed in our laboratory. The xenon lamp and power supply were also upgraded. This modified device achieved a 1.46 log reduction at a total fluence of 44.46 J/cm 2 . Changing the material of the treatment chamber from acrylic to stainless steel induced light reflections that resulted in improvement of the decontamination efficiency. Although this study showed a potential of a pilot-scale IPL device for treating larger amount of sample at once, further studies of technical improvement are essential to achieve higher decontamination level.

Significant reduction of inflammation and sebaceous glands size in acne vulgaris lesions after intense pulsed light treatment.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been used for years in treatment of acne vulgaris. However, quantitative evaluation of histopathological changes after its use as a sole therapy was poorly investigated. Accordingly, this study aims to objectively evaluate inflammatory infiltrate and sebaceous glands in acne vulgaris after IPL. Twenty-four patients of acne were treated with six IPL sessions. Clinical evaluation was done at 2 weeks after last session by counting acne lesions. Patient satisfaction using Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) was recorded at baseline, 2 weeks and 3 months after IPL. Using histopathological and computerized morphometric analysis, quantitative evaluation of inflammatory infiltrate and measurement of surface area of sebaceous glands were performed for skin biopsies at baseline and 2 weeks after last session. After IPL, there was significant reduction of all acne lesions especially inflammatory variety with significant decrease of CADI score at 2 weeks and 3 months after IPL (p < .05). Microscopically, there was significant decrease in density of inflammatory infiltrate and surface area of sebaceous glands (p < .05). So, IPL is fairly effective therapy in acne vulgaris especially inflammatory variety. The results suggest that IPL could improve acne lesions through targeting both inflammation and sebaceous glands.

Comparison between effects of laser and intensive pulsed light on freckles

Objective To compare the effect of Q-switch Nd∶YAG laser and intensive pulsed light on freckles. Methods 80 patients with freckles were divided into 2 groups randomly. One group of patients were treated with Q-switch Nd∶YAG 532 nm frequency-doubled laser, the interval was 8 weeks. The other group of patients were treated with 570 nm intensive pulsed light, the interval was 8 weeks. Results We used Mann-Whitney U test to compare the curative effect of the two groups (P <0.05), and the mean rank (34.00) of the Q-switch Nd∶YAG laser treatment group was greater than that (47.00) of the intense pulsed light treatment group. Conclusions The curative effect of Q-switch Nd∶YAG laser is better than that of intensive pulsed light on freckles. Key words: Laser; Intensive pulsed light; Freckle

Surface decontamination of spinach by intense pulsed light treatments: Impact on quality attributes

Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments constitute an emerging non-thermal technology proposed to decontaminate food surfaces. In this study, the bactericidal effect of IPL against Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli inoculated on spinach leaves was evaluated and mathematically modeled. Also, the impact of IPL treatments (20 and 40kJm−2) on headspace gas composition, microbial quality, antioxidant properties and color of spinach was assessed immediately after treatment and during refrigerated storage. IPL treatments were effective for reducing the naturally-occurring microbial load on the raw material by 0.4–2.2LogCFUg−1, depending on the applied fluence. IPL treatments also reduced the growth rates of microbial populations through storage. Changes in the package headspace composition were significantly affected by IPL treatments. In-package production of CO2 increased at a higher rate than for untreated spinach leaves, while O2 concentrations decreased. Total polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity of spinach exhibited significant increases in the range of 5–10% and 32–34% for the samples treated with 20 or 40kJm−2, respectively. Despite these initial increases, treated spinach leaves presented an accelerated decrease in these quality indicators during refrigerated storage. At the end of storage, IPL-treated samples presented a slightly lower phytochemical quality but significant better microbial quality than control samples.

Combination Therapy of Intense Pulsed Light Therapy and Meibomian Gland Expression (IPL/MGX) Can Improve Dry Eye Symptoms and Meibomian Gland Function in Patients With Refractory Dry Eye: A Retrospective Analysis.

To assess the improvement in meibomian gland function and dry eye symptoms in patients with refractory dry eye treated with a combination therapy of intense pulsed light (IPL) and meibomian gland expression (MGX). Medical records of 81 consecutive patients with dry eye treated with serial IPL/MGX were retrospectively examined to determine the outcome. All patients had a minimum of 6 months of follow-up after the first IPL/MGX treatment. Patients typically received 1 to 4 IPL treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Each IPL session included MGX. Thirty-five charts had complete data for inclusion in analysis. We reviewed demographics, ocular histories, Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness 2 (SPEED2) symptom survey scores, slit-lamp examinations, and meibomian gland evaluations (MGE) at baseline and at each visit before IPL/MGX treatments. The paired t test showed a significant (P < 0.0001) decrease in SPEED2 with IPL/MGX therapy. Of the 35 patients, 8 (23%) had a ≥50% decrease in SPEED2, 23 (66%) had a 1% to 49% decrease in SPEED2, 1 (3%) had no change in SPEED2, and 3 (9%) had an increase in SPEED2. The Paired t test showed a significant increase in MGE in the left eye but not in the right eye (OD P = 0.163 and OS P = 0.0002). Thirteen patients (37%) had improved MGE bilaterally. Eight patients (23%) had either a decrease in MGE bilaterally or a decrease in 1 eye with no change in the other eye. This retrospective analysis shows that the combination of IPL and MGX can significantly improve dry eye symptoms (in 89% of patients) and meibomian gland function (in 77% of patients in at least 1 eye).

고강도 광원을 이용한 새싹 채소의 살균

고강도 광원을 이용한 새싹 채소의 살균

Tuning the reduction and conductivity of solution-processed graphene oxide by intense pulsed light

We report about the reduction of spin-coated graphene oxide (GO) layers by intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment. The reduction is achieved in a few seconds resulting in semi-transparent graphene thin films with electrical conductivities up to 6.6 S/cm. In comparison to GO reduction by conventional thermal annealing in an oven, the IPL method is much faster, enabling applications in transparent and flexible polymer substrates. Moreover, this process is roll-to-roll compatible and chemicals-free. The parameters of IPL were optimized in order to tune the conductivity of reduced GO (rGO) films as a function of exposure energy, pulse duration, and number of pulses. The effect of IPL parameters on the morphology and the electrical properties of rGO films were investigated by vis-NIR, X-ray photoelectron, and Raman spectroscopies, as well as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and sheet resistance measurements. The correlation between Raman spectroscopy analysis and sheet resistance shows that the G band width can be used to evaluate the conductivity of the rGO. The IPL, in a time frame of seconds, results in higher conductivity than oven annealing of 30 min at 400 °C, which is also evidenced in the Raman spectra showing the same structural changes as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Treatment of Persistent Facial Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation With Novel Pulse-in-Pulse Mode Intense Pulsed Light.

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is an acquired hypermelanosis induced by various causes including inflammatory dermatoses, injury, or cosmetic procedures, such as lasers or chemical peels, and it tends to affect dark-skinned people with greater frequency and severity. There are a variety of treatment options for PIH, including topical agents, chemical peels, laser, and light therapy. However, the results are not up to expectation. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical efficacy and safety of novel pulse-in-pulse mode intense pulsed light (IPL) for the treatment of persistent facial PIH in Korean patients. Twenty-five Korean female patients (Fitzpatrick skin types III-V) with persistent facial PIH were enrolled in the study. The patients were treated with novel pulse-in-pulse mode IPL for 4 sessions at 1-week interval and 4 sessions at 2-week intervals. Treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction were evaluated using photographs and questionnaires. After 2 months of all treatments, 23 patients (92%) had more than 50% improvement and 22 patients (88%) were satisfied with the treatments. No adverse effects or aggravations were reported. The pulse-in-pulse mode IPL treatment is effective and safe for persistent facial PIH in dark-skinned patients.

The comparison between modified kligman formulation versus kligman formulation and intense pulsed light in the treatment of the post-burn hyperpigmentation.

Background:Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common problem occurs following many dermatologic diseases and medical interventions. Different modalities including topical agents, lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) are suggested for treatment of the post-burn PIH. In the current study, we evaluated the efficacy of IPL plus modified Kligman cream (MODIFIED KLIGMAN CREAM) versus MODIFIED KLIGMAN CREAM alone in the treatment of the post-burn PIH.Materials and Methods:This was a randomized, non-blinded clinical trial. A total of 53 patches of post-burn PIP in 14 patients were randomized to receive either two sessions of IPL plus modified Kligman formula or kligman formula for 2 months. The patients were recommended to apply MODIFIED KLIGMAN CREAM cream for 12 h at night.Results:According to our results, the patients in the MODIFIED KLIGMAN CREAM + IPL group had higher satisfaction as compared with MODIFIED KLIGMAN CREAM alone (P = 0.000) (Mann–Whitney test). In addition, according to physician evaluation, the patients in the MODIFIED KLIGMAN CREAM + IPL group had higher satisfaction as compared with MODIFIED KLIGMAN CREAM alone (P = 0.000) (Mann–Whitney test). No side effects except a little irritation, erythema and exfoliation due to MODIFIED KLIGMAN CREAM cream were seen in the patients.Conclusions:The results of our study showed the better efficacy and faster response of the IPL plus modified Kligman formula versus modified Kligman formula in the treatment of the post-burn PIH. To better determine the efficacy of IPL in treatment of the post-burn PIP, more extensive studies as randomized, double-blinded clinical trial are recommended.

Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Intense Pulsed Light in the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Purpose. This study aims to explore the safety and efficacy of a novel treatment-intense pulsed light (IPL) in MGD eyes. Methods. This study is a prospective and open label study. Forty eyes of 40 MGD patients were recruited in the study and received 4 consecutive IPL treatments on day 1, day 15, day 45, and day 75. Ten ocular surface symptoms were evaluated with a subjective face score at every visit. Best spectacle corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), conjunctival injection, upper and lower tear meniscus height (TMH), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal staining, lid margin and meibomian gland assessments, and meibography were also recorded at every visit, as well as the adverse effects on the eye and ocular surface. Results. Significant improvements were observed in single and total ocular surface symptom scores, TBUT, and conjunctival injection at all the visits after the initial IPL treatment (P < 0.05). Compared to baseline, the signs of eyelid margin, meibomian gland secretion quality, and expressibility were significantly improved at every visit after treatments. There was no regional and systemic threat observed in any patient. Conclusion. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a safe and efficient treatment in relieving symptoms and signs of MGD eyes.