Efficacy of diquafosol sodium combined with M22 optimized pulsed light in the treatment of dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of 3 % diquafosol sodium combined with M22 optimized pulse light (OPT) in the treatment of dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: Data from 97 dry eye patients admitted to Shantou Balder Eye Hospital with MGD-induced dry eye illness between August 2019 and June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients meeting MGD diagnostic criteria in ophthalmology and exhibiting MGD-induced dry eye signs were split into two groups. The medication group (43 cases) received 3 % diquafosol sodium eye drops six times a day for three months, while the pulsed light group (44 cases) underwent three M22 OPT sessions at one-month intervals. Treatment efficacy of the two methods were compared by assessing changes in ocular surface, symptom severity, inflammatory factors (hs-CRP, IL-8, IL-1β), and quality of life before and three months after treatment commenced. Adverse reactions were also recorded. Results: Pulsed light group showed a slightly higher (but not significant) total effective rate (95.45 %) than the medication group (93.02 %; p > 0.05). Three months post-treatment, both groups exhibited significant improvements in various indicators such as FL, OSDI, symptom scores, tear biomarker levels, and overall eye health (p < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was similar between the medication (4.65 %) and pulsed light (9.09 %) groups. Conclusion: Treatment with 3 % diquafosol sodium and M22 OPT for MGD-induced dry eye yields comparable efficacy and safety, improving symptoms, ocular surface function, reducing inflammation, and enhancing quality of life. However, 3 % diquafosol sodium shows better patient tolerance and fewer adverse reactions, but further research is needed due to the limited number of patients in this study.