Clinical Efficacy of Intelligent Optimal Pulse Technology in the Treatment of Evaporative Dry Eye

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy with intelligent optimal pulse technology (IOPT) in the treatment of evaporative dry eye (EDE). METHOD: A total of 84 eyes from 42 patients with EDE were enrolled to receive either three sessions of IOPT combined with meibomian gland expression (MGX) or MGX-alone treatment sessions at 3-week intervals. The ocular surface disease index(OSDI) score, tear meniscus height(TMH), fluorescein break-up time of the tear film(FBUT), corneal fluorescein staining(CFS) score, Schirmer I test(SIT), tear film lipid layer grade(TFLL), lid margin abnormality score(LAS), and assessment of 15 meibomian glands in each of the upper and lower eyelids, including meibomian gland expressibility(MGE), total meibomian gland secretion quality(TMGS), and meibomian gland dropout rate(MGDR), were evaluated at various time points, including day(D)0, D21, D42, D63, and the 3-month follow-up visit after treatment(3 M). Safety outcome measures were comprised of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), eye structure damage under slit lamp biomicroscopy, and facial skin appearance at each visit. RESULT: The OSDI score, CFS, TFLL, LAS, TMGS, and MGE showed a statistically significant greater improvement in the treatment group after three courses of treatment compared with those in the control group (all p<0.05). While these improved in both groups in comparison to baseline (D0), the eyelid MGDR was significantly improved only in the treatment group (P<0.05). At the 3-month follow-up after treatment (3 M), only the OSDI score, FBUT, upper eyelid MGE, TMGS and eyelid MGDR were statistically significant, while there was no significant difference in the control group compared to baseline (D0). CONCLUSION: IOPT is a safe and effective treatment for EDE. It is more effective than MGX alone in improving symptoms, reducing ocular surface inflammation, and improving meibomian gland structure and function. Clinical trial registry number(TRN): KY2023227; ( Date: 14/06/2023)