Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Intense Pulsed Light for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Ocular Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light combined with meibomian gland expression (IPL-MGX) for treating meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) associated with chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD).

Methods: This retrospective study included 18 patients (18 eyes) with Fitzpatrick skin type ≤ IV, who underwent 3 to 8 sessions of IPL-MGX. Dry eye symptomology, ocular surface parameters, and adverse events were evaluated.

Results:  Of 18 eyes, 83.3% and 66.7% showed severe oGVHD and severe MGD, respectively. At 4 weeks after the final session, significant improvements in the OSDI ( < 0.001), SPEED ( = 0.001), meibum expressibility ( < 0.001), and meibum quality ( = 0.016) were observed. At 12 weeks after, the OSDI ( = 0.009), SPEED ( = 0.002), and meibum expressibility ( = 0.008) significantly improved. No adverse events owing to IPL were reported.

Conclusion: IPL-MGX may improve the ocular symptoms, ameliorate meibomian gland secretion, and is considered as a safe treatment for MGD in oGVHD patients.