Dry eye / meibomian gland dysfunction
LLLT plus IPL for meibomian gland dysfunction systematic review and meta-analysis
Chan KE, Lau BSR, Lim BXH, et al. Contact Lens & Anterior Eye. 2025.
A meta-analysis found combined LLLT plus intense pulsed light improved dry-eye and meibomian gland dysfunction endpoints.
Evidence grade
low
Effect direction
positive
Panel relevance
not-panel-replicable
Key findings
- The review analyzed 12 studies.
- LLLT plus IPL reduced Ocular Surface Disease Index scores and improved tear break-up time and Schirmer test at 3 months or less.
- The authors called for longer-term safety and comparative effectiveness research.
Protocol details
| Wavelengths | Not reported nm |
|---|---|
| Irradiance | Not reported mW/cm2 |
| Fluence | Not reported J/cm2 |
| Session time | Not reported minutes |
| Frequency | Ophthalmology/optometry device-specific |
| Duration | Outcomes assessed at <= 3 months and in sensitivity analysis at >= 6 months |
| Treatment area | Periocular/meibomian gland treatment area |
| Device type | Low-level light therapy combined with intense pulsed light |
Caveats
- This is combination therapy, not red/NIR panel therapy alone.
- Eye-area light treatment should be performed with appropriate eye protection and clinician oversight.