9th Global Ophthalmology Summit

Biography

Biography: Carlos Verges

Abstract

Lipid deficiency occurs in 76.7% of dry eye patients with a prevalence of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in the
majority of eyes. The treatments of MGD have been shown only short-term symptom relief. This suggests that we need
more treatment options, one of which is intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). IPL treatment applies Xenon flash lamp to emitting
wavelengths of light ranging from 400 to 1200 nm. The initial application of IPL for dry eye patients began in 2002 and from
that, different authors have used this technology reporting good results. In our case, we have improved the IPL with a new
system called Intense Ultra-Regulated Pulsed Light (IURPL, Thermaeye ®) which generate short pulses with low energy. The
aim of his study is to explore the safety and efficacy of intense ultra-regulated pulsed light (IURPL) in MGD eyes.
Methods & Methodology: This is a prospective and open label study. 184 eyes of 92 MGD patients were recruited and received
4 consecutive IURPL treatments on day 1, day 7, day 21, and day 45, with a follow up of 6 months. Symptoms were evaluated
with OSDI score. Best corrected visual acuity, IOP, conjunctival injection, upper and lower tear meniscus height, TBUT, corneal
staining, lid margin and meibomian gland assessments, and meibography were also recorded.
Results: Significant improvements were observed in single and total ocular surface symptom scores, TBUT, and conjunctival
injection at all the visits after the initial IURPL treatment (P<0.03). Compared to baseline, the signs of eyelid margin, meibomian
gland secretion quality, and expressibility were significantly improved at every visit during 6 months after treatments. There
was no regional and systemic threat observed in any patient.
Conclusion: Intense ultra-regulated pulsed light (IURPL) therapy is a safe and efficient treatment in relieving symptoms and
signs of MGD eyes.