Intense pulsed light: results in chronic dry eye syndrome after LASIK.

A report is presented on the visual and clinical results from a retrospective case series of patients with chronic, evaporative, dry eye syndrome (DES), after refractive surgery, and treated with intense pulsed light treatment (IPL). Four sessions were performed, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was completed before initiating treatment and after the last session. Pre- and post-treatment data included: visual acuity (VA), refraction, clinical evaluation (DEWS severity grading, and Oxford corneal staining), and Orbscan topography. Twenty eyes were treated and the following data recorded: SchirmerI 14.7+/-5.6; 15.6+/-3.4mm, tear breakup time (TBUT) 3.4+/-1.6; 5.1+/-1.2s (P>.003), DEWS 3.4+/-0.5; 1.6+/-0.7 (P .003), VA 0.67+/-0.26; 0.90+/-0.15 (P .003), spherical equivalent -0.31+/-0.6; -0.08+/-0.38D (P>.003), OSDI 34+/-16; 28+/-11.0 points (P>.003), frequency artificial tear use 3.4+/-2.0; 2.5+/-1.9 times/day (P>.03). A significant clinical and visual improvement was observed, together with a decreased frequency in artificial tear use, in LASIK patients with chronic DES after IPL treatment.