Intense pulsed light, commonly known as IPL, is an in-practice treatment used for selected patients with meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye.

The meibomian glands are located within the eyelids and produce the oily layer of the tear film. When these glands become blocked, inflamed or produce poor-quality oil, tears may evaporate too quickly. This can contribute to burning, irritation, fluctuating vision, redness and difficulty wearing contact lenses.

Research supports IPL as a treatment option for some patients with meibomian gland dysfunction. However, IPL is not suitable for every type of dry eye, and it should not be presented as a guaranteed cure. Treatment results vary, and IPL is usually used as one part of a broader, individualised dry-eye management plan.

IPL Research at a Glance

What Type of Dry Eye Does IPL Treat?

Dry eye is not a single condition. It may be caused by insufficient tear production, excessive tear evaporation, eyelid disease, inflammation, medication effects, autoimmune disease, exposure, nerve-related pain or a combination of factors.

IPL is primarily used for evaporative dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.

Meibomian gland dysfunction can cause:

• Blocked gland openings
• Thickened or poor-quality meibum
• Reduced oil secretion
• Eyelid-margin inflammation
• Telangiectatic blood vessels around the eyelids
• Increased tear evaporation
• An unstable tear film

IPL does not directly replace missing aqueous tears and is not automatically appropriate for every patient who reports dry-eye symptoms. An assessment is needed to identify the main factors contributing to the condition.

How Is IPL Thought to Work?

IPL delivers controlled pulses of broad-spectrum light to the skin around the eyelids.

Several possible treatment mechanisms have been proposed.

Warming Meibomian-Gland Secretions

The light energy produces a controlled warming effect that may help soften thickened meibum, allowing the eyelid glands to express their oil more effectively.

Reducing Abnormal Blood Vessels

IPL may act on small telangiectatic blood vessels around the eyelid margins. These vessels may contribute to the transport and release of inflammatory substances.

Reducing Inflammation

Some studies have reported changes in inflammatory markers following treatment. This may help interrupt part of the inflammatory cycle associated with meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye.

Improving Tear-Film Stability

When meibomian-gland secretions improve, the oily layer of the tear film may become more effective at slowing tear evaporation.

The exact contribution of each mechanism remains under investigation. IPL should therefore not be described as permanently regenerating damaged glands or treating every underlying cause of dry eye.

Does IPL Improve Dry-Eye Symptoms?

The strongest recent evidence comes from a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis that included 13 randomised controlled studies.

Compared with placebo or sham treatment, IPL probably produced a clinically meaningful improvement in dry-eye symptoms. The pooled improvement was approximately 16 points on the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire.

However, when IPL was added to other standard dry-eye treatment, the additional average benefit was smaller and it remained uncertain whether that difference would be clinically meaningful for every patient.

This distinction is important. IPL appears to have a genuine treatment effect, but many patients are also using lubricants, warm compresses, eyelid treatments, prescribed medication or gland expression. It can therefore be difficult to determine how much improvement is attributable to IPL alone.

Does IPL Improve Clinical Signs?

Studies have reported improvements in some objective clinical measurements, including:

• Tear-film break-up time
• Meibomian-gland expressibility
• Meibum quality
• Eyelid-margin appearance
• Corneal staining
• Tear-film stability

Not every measurement improves in every study, and changes in clinical signs do not always match changes in symptoms.

Some patients report feeling substantially better despite only modest changes in testing. Others may show an improvement in meibomian-gland function while continuing to experience symptoms due to inflammation, tear deficiency, exposure or ocular-surface nerve sensitivity.

Treatment should therefore be assessed using both the patient’s symptoms and objective clinical findings.

Does IPL Restore Damaged Meibomian Glands?

It is more accurate to say that IPL may improve the function of remaining meibomian glands than to say it restores or regenerates glands.

Meibography can show areas where glands have shortened or been lost. IPL cannot be assumed to regrow gland tissue that is no longer present.

A patient may still benefit if the remaining glands produce better-quality meibum or become easier to express. However, advanced gland loss may limit the potential response.

This is one reason why meibography and a complete eyelid assessment can be helpful before recommending treatment.

Is IPL a Cure for Dry Eye?

IPL is not a permanent cure for dry eye.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is usually a chronic condition. Factors contributing to it may include:

• Age
• Eyelid inflammation
• Ocular rosacea
• Incomplete blinking
• Prolonged screen use
• Contact-lens wear
• Environmental exposure
• Medication use
• Hormonal factors
• Demodex infestation
• Other ocular-surface conditions

IPL may reduce symptoms and improve gland function, but ongoing home care or additional treatment may still be required.

The aim is usually to improve comfort, tear stability and gland function while reducing the frequency or severity of flare-ups—not to promise that symptoms will never return.

Does Every Patient Respond?

No.

The degree of improvement varies considerably. Possible reasons include:

• The type of dry eye
• Severity of meibomian-gland obstruction
• Amount of remaining functional gland tissue
• Presence of ocular rosacea or eyelid telangiectasia
• Tear production
• Ocular-surface inflammation
• Eyelid closure and blinking
• Other medications or health conditions
• The IPL device and treatment settings
• Whether complementary treatment is provided
• Adherence to ongoing home care

A limited response to IPL does not necessarily mean that the symptoms are not genuine. It may indicate that another contributor—such as aqueous tear deficiency, exposure or neuropathic ocular pain—is playing a greater role.

IPL and Neuropathic Eye Pain

Some patients experience severe burning, stinging, light sensitivity or eye pain despite having relatively mild clinical dry-eye signs.

This can sometimes be associated with heightened ocular-surface nerve sensitivity or neuropathic pain.

IPL may still be considered where meibomian gland dysfunction is present, but treating the eyelid glands may not resolve symptoms that are primarily nerve-related. Patients with persistent symptoms that are disproportionate to the clinical signs may require a broader assessment and management approach.

IPL Alone or Combined With Gland Expression

IPL is frequently combined with meibomian-gland expression, in which controlled pressure is applied to the eyelids to assess or release gland secretions.

Some studies support IPL combined with gland expression, although research protocols differ considerably.

A prospective multicentre study published in 2024 found that treatment involving the upper and lower eyelids together with lower-lid gland expression improved dry-eye and meibomian-gland outcomes. The study also reported greater improvements among some patients with more severe disease.

However, this does not establish that every patient requires the same expression technique or that one standard protocol is best for all presentations.

How Many IPL Treatments Are Usually Required?

There is no single universally accepted IPL schedule.

Many published protocols use a course of approximately three or four treatments, often separated by two to four weeks. Other studies use different numbers of sessions, treatment areas, energy levels and intervals.

The appropriate schedule may depend on:

• The device being used
• Skin type
• Severity of meibomian gland dysfunction
• Eyelid and skin findings
• Treatment response
• Whether gland expression or another therapy is included

Patients should not be promised that one session will produce the full result. Improvement may be gradual and is usually assessed across a planned treatment course.

A 2025 review examining 110 clinical studies found substantial variation in IPL devices, protocols and treatment parameters, reinforcing the need for better standardisation and careful interpretation of results.

How Long Do the Benefits Last?

Some studies report improvements lasting for several months, and selected research populations have shown benefits at longer follow-up periods.

However, the duration varies between patients and cannot be guaranteed.

A 2025 retrospective comparative study followed patients with refractory meibomian gland dysfunction for one year after IPL combined with gland expression. The results support the possibility of longer-lasting improvement in selected patients, but the study was relatively small and does not establish that every patient will maintain the same response for 12 months.

Some patients may later benefit from maintenance treatment. The timing should be based on symptoms and clinical findings rather than an automatic schedule.

Is IPL Better Than Other Dry-Eye Treatments?

Current research does not establish IPL as the best treatment for every patient.

Other treatments for meibomian gland dysfunction may include:

• Warm compresses
• Eyelid hygiene
• Lubricating eye drops
• Prescribed anti-inflammatory medication
• Meibomian-gland expression
• Thermal pulsation
• Treatment for Demodex or blepharitis
• Management of ocular rosacea
• Changes to screen habits and blinking
• Environmental modification

A 2025 systematic review evaluated research involving IPL and thermal pulsation but noted that the included studies did not directly compare the two treatments. Conclusions about one being superior therefore relied on indirect comparisons and should be interpreted cautiously.

Treatment selection should be based on the factors driving each patient’s condition rather than choosing a procedure solely because it is newer or more technologically advanced.

IPL and Low-Level Light Therapy

IPL and low-level light therapy are different treatments.

IPL delivers high-intensity pulses across selected wavelengths. Low-level light therapy uses photobiomodulation and is intended to influence cellular activity without producing the same type of thermal or vascular effect.

A 2025 meta-analysis found improvements in symptoms and tear-film measurements among patients treated with combined IPL and low-level light therapy. However, the studies were highly variable, and further research is needed to establish long-term safety, effectiveness and how combined therapy compares with other treatments.

A separate 2025 randomised paired-eye study of 24 participants found symptom improvements with both low-level light therapy alone and combined treatment. Some outcomes favoured combined therapy, but the study was small and does not prove that adding IPL is necessary for every patient.

Is IPL Safe?

IPL is generally well tolerated when performed with suitable equipment, appropriate treatment settings and correct ocular protection.

Possible temporary effects may include:

• Mild discomfort during the light pulses
• Temporary redness
• Warmth or sensitivity of the treated skin
• Mild swelling
• Temporary irritation
• Changes in skin pigmentation
• Temporary worsening of symptoms

Blistering, lash or hair loss and ocular injury have also been reported, but these appear uncommon and may be associated with unsuitable treatment parameters or inadequate protection.

The 2025 systematic review found that the overall evidence concerning adverse events remained very uncertain because safety reporting was inconsistent across the included trials. This means it would be inappropriate to claim that IPL is risk-free.

Why Is Eye Protection Important?

IPL produces powerful flashes of light that should not be delivered to an unprotected eye.

Suitable ocular shields or protective equipment must be used according to the device, treatment area and clinical protocol. The eyelids should not simply be closed without appropriate protection when treatment is being delivered close to the eyes.

Patients should only undergo periocular IPL where the practitioner has been trained to assess suitability, select appropriate settings and protect the eye.

Who May Not Be Suitable for IPL?

Suitability depends on the device and treatment protocol.

Additional caution or avoidance may be necessary where there is:

• Recent tanning or significant sun exposure
• A medication that increases light sensitivity
• An active infection or inflammatory skin condition in the treatment area
• Suspicious or pigmented skin lesions
• A history of abnormal scarring
• Certain neurological or seizure conditions
• Recent eye or facial surgery
• An active corneal infection or ulcer
• An inability to use the required eye protection
• A skin type for which suitable device settings cannot be safely selected

Patients should provide an accurate list of their medications and relevant medical, skin and ocular history before treatment. Published studies often apply detailed exclusion criteria, so results from those studies should not automatically be generalised to every patient seen in routine practice.

Why Do the IPL Device and Protocol Matter?

IPL is not one identical treatment across every clinic.

Research studies have used different:

• IPL devices
• Wavelength filters
• Energy settings
• Pulse patterns
• Treatment areas
• Number of flashes
• Treatment intervals
• Skin-type criteria
• Eye-protection methods
• Additional treatments

A result obtained with one device and protocol cannot automatically be assumed to apply to every other form of IPL.

The practitioner must select settings according to the patient’s skin type, eyelid findings, ocular history and the specific device being used.

Why Is a Dry-Eye Assessment Needed First?

Symptoms alone cannot determine whether IPL is appropriate.

A dry-eye and meibomian-gland assessment may include:

• Discussion of symptoms and previous treatments
• Review of medications and general health
• Examination of the eyelids and ocular surface
• Meibomian-gland assessment
• Meibography
• Tear-film stability testing
• Corneal staining
• Assessment of tear production
• Evaluation for blepharitis or Demodex
• Consideration of incomplete blinking or eyelid closure
• Assessment for inflammation or neuropathic pain

The aim is to determine whether meibomian gland dysfunction is a major contributor and whether IPL is likely to form a useful part of the treatment plan.

What Can Patients Realistically Expect?

A suitable patient may experience:

• Less burning or irritation
• More stable vision
• Reduced reliance on lubricating drops
• Improved contact-lens comfort
• Better meibomian-gland secretions
• Improved tear-film stability
• Fewer or less severe flare-ups

However:

• Improvement may be gradual
• Not every clinical measurement will change
• Some symptoms may remain
• Other treatments may still be required
• Maintenance treatment may be considered
• A course of IPL does not permanently prevent dry eye from returning

We assess the result using both your symptoms and the appearance and function of your eyelids, glands, tear film and ocular surface.

Key Recent Research

Effectiveness and Safety of IPL for Dry-Eye Symptoms Due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction — 2025

This systematic review and meta-analysis included 13 randomised studies.

IPL probably produced a clinically meaningful symptom improvement compared with placebo. However, the additional benefit when IPL was added to standard treatment was less certain, and evidence concerning adverse effects remained very uncertain.

This is currently one of the most useful studies for providing patients with a balanced summary of IPL’s benefits and limitations.

Current Practices and Considerations in IPL Therapy for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction — 2025

This review examined 110 clinical studies involving IPL for dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction.

It identified considerable variation in devices, treatment settings, intervals and accompanying treatments. The review supports IPL as a promising treatment but highlights the need for more standardised protocols and comparative research.

Low-Level Light Therapy Alone Versus Combined IPL and Light Therapy — 2025

This double-masked paired-eye study included 24 patients with dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction.

Both treatments improved some symptoms and meibomian-gland findings. Combined therapy produced additional changes in some outcomes, but the small study size means the findings require confirmation in larger trials.

Low-Level Light Therapy and IPL in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction — 2025

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined 12 studies of combined low-level light therapy and IPL.

The combined treatment was associated with improvements in dry-eye symptoms, tear break-up time and some other clinical measurements. The authors recommended further research into long-term safety, effectiveness and comparisons with alternative treatments.

IPL of the Upper and Lower Eyelids With Gland Expression — 2024

This prospective multicentre study investigated IPL delivered to the upper and lower eyelid areas together with meibomian-gland expression.

The researchers reported improvements in meibomian gland dysfunction and dry-eye outcomes, with larger improvements in some patients with more severe disease.

Randomised Controlled Study of IPL for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction — 2022

This randomised controlled study found improvements in dry-eye symptoms and clinical signs following IPL treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction.

It contributed important controlled evidence supporting IPL, but subsequent systematic reviews have emphasised that protocols and outcome reporting still vary considerably across the research.

Book a Dry-Eye and IPL Assessment

IPL may be considered when meibomian gland dysfunction or eyelid inflammation is contributing significantly to dry-eye symptoms.

A dry-eye assessment allows us to examine the eyelids, meibomian glands, tear film and ocular surface before recommending treatment.

Where IPL is appropriate, we will explain:

• Why it has been recommended
• The proposed treatment schedule
• Other treatments that may be required
• Expected costs
• Potential benefits
• Possible limitations and risks
• How treatment response will be monitored

Book a Dry-Eye and IPL Assessment

No referral is required.

This page provides general information about published IPL research. It does not replace an individual examination, diagnosis or personalised clinical advice.

Clinically reviewed by Kevin Trac, Optometrist
Last reviewed: July 2026