This study will evaluate the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for the treatment of dry eye disease. One eye of the participant will be randomized to receive the IPL treatment.
Dry eye disease (DED) affects tears and the front surface of the eye. Patients who have DED can experience symptoms of discomfort, blurry vision, redness, and pain. DED can also cause tears to become unstable which could result in damage to the front surface of the eye. There are two types of DED. The one the investigators are studying is called evaporative dry eye disease. This type of DED occurs because the pores on the eyelids are not functioning properly. In preliminary studies, a new treatment called Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) has shown promise to reduce signs and symptoms of evaporative DED. IPL is a non-invasive and non-laser light treatment that was approved in 1995 by the FDA for dermatology. It is commonly used for treatment of facial rosacea, acne, and hair, wrinkle and lesion removal. It is not currently approved for the treatment of dry eye disease. This treatment is thought to provide relief of evaporative DED symptoms and improve the expression of the pores on the edge of the eyelid.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
14
Intense pulsed light therapy is a non-invasive and non-laser light treatment that was approved in 1995 by the FDA for dermatology. Participants will receive a total of 4 treatments over the course of the study.
The sham treatment will mimic the IPL treatment but no light will be delivered. Sham treatment will be administered 4 times throughout the study.
University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Tear Breakup Time Average
Three tear breakup time measurements will be taken of each eye. The averages of those eyes treated with intense pulsed light treatment will be compared to those eyes that received the sham treatment.
Time frame: 16.5 weeks
Change in Scores of the Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire
Patients completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire at each visit before they received the IPL and sham treatments. The questionnaire is assessed on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 meaning normal and the higher scores representing greater dry eye disease severity. This questionnaire has been validated to assess ocular symptoms for a patient but cannot be separated by eye. Therefore, the results cannot be given by treatment vs. sham, but for the participant overall.
Time frame: 7 Months
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