Intense pulsed light therapy to improve signs and symptoms of contact lens discomfort.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy on signs and symptoms of Contact Lens Discomfort (CLD) in symptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers.

METHODS

A prospective, randomised, double masked study was conducted on 36 eyes of 18 CL wearers (IPL: n = 20; sham: n = 16) with a Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ-8) score ≥ 12. Participants received two IPL/sham treatments at three weeks intervals as per randomization. The sham group underwent simulated light exposure using a torch while the IPL device remained inactive. Meibomian gland expression was performed for both groups after each treatment. Symptom and clinical assessments included CLDEQ-8 questionnaire, non-invasive tear breakup time (NITBUT), tear film lipid layer thickness (TFLLT), tear meniscus height (TMH), tear volume, meibomian gland secretion score (MGSS), meiboscore (upper/lower eye lids), MG capping, pouting, foam, telangiectasia, hyperaemia (bulbar, limbal, & palpebral), palpebral roughness, corneal staining, and lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF). Assessments were evaluated prior to treatment at baseline (D-0), and then at day 21(D-21), D-42, and D-90.

RESULTS

The IPL group showed a significant reduction in CLDEQ-8 score from 18.1 ± 1.9 at D-0 to 10.7 ± 1.1 at D-42 (p = 0.01), and improved meibomian gland secretion score (MGSS) at D-21 (p = 0.02) and D-42 (p < 0.01), MG capping, and pouting remained improved at D-90 (p < 0.01). MG foam, telangiectasia, bulbar hyperaemia and corneal staining improved significantly at D-42 (p < 0.01), but most changes diminished by D-90. The sham group showed no significant changes. No differences were observed in tear film parameters at any time point.

CONCLUSION

IPL therapy, effectively reduced symptoms of CLD and improved meibomian gland function, though effect diminished within 69 days after the final treatment, underscoring the need for optimized treatment protocols.