Efficiency and Changes of Cytokines Expression in Tear After Intense Pulsed Light Treating Dry Eye Disease

Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-invasive and non-laser light treatment that is FDA-approved for various conditions in dermatology. Subjects will receive a total of 4 IPL treatments over the course of the study, at intervals of 2 weeks. Each treatment will include applications of 24 IPL pulses in the malar region and close to the lower eyelids, followed by meibomian gland expression.

Sham Optimal pulsed technology intense pulsed light IPL will be implemented with an IPL device in which all light is blocked by a filter. Subjects will receive a total of 4 sham treatments over the course of the study, at intervals of 2 weeks. Each treatment will include applications of 24 sham pulses in the malar region and close to the lower eyelids, followed by meibomian gland expression.

Meibomian gland expression (MGX) will be implemented by squeezing the meibomian glands with the aid of stainless steel jaeger lid plate positioned in the inferior fornix space between the tarsal and bulbar conjunctiva, and a cotton swab in another side.