Rev Bras Oftalmol.2026;85:e0037
Efficacy of isolated treatment with Intense Pulsed Light applied directly to the eyelids of patients with Meibomian gland dysfunction: a retrospective cohort
DOI: 10.37039/1982.8551.20260037
ABSTRACT
Objective:
To describe the clinical benefits of intense pulsed light applied directly to the eyelids of patients with Meibomian gland dysfunction and without glandular expression.
Methods:
A paired, retrospective cohort involving 16 patients diagnosed with symptomatic Meibomian gland dysfunction according to the criteria of the 2011 International Workshop on Meibomian gland dysfunction and treated with Intense Pulsed Light. The patients received three biweekly sessions on the eyelids and with the Lumenis OPT M22™ equipment. Glandular expression was not performed and after 30 days, clinical follow-up was performed with the evaluation including SPEED 2 questionnaire, meibomigraphy and glandular assessment.
Results:
SPEED 2 significantly improved in 75% (p < 0.001) and Meibum quality improved in 84.7% (p < 0.001) of patients. Glandular loss decreased from 27.1% to 22.5%, without statistical significance (p = 0.129), but with a moderate effect size (d = 0.452).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that Intense Pulsed Light applied directly to the eyelids and without glandular expression is effective in the treatment of Meibomian gland dysfunction.
