IPL treatments for dry eye syndrome?

IPL is an effective treatment for rosacea, which is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin. Flushing and redness are part of the symptom complex of rosacea, and IPL therapy targets this problem. Rosacea can also affect the Meibomian glands of the eyelids. When these glands are inflamed, the oily secretions get stuck and the result is a deficient tear film, resulting in dry eye syndrome. I am unaware of any studies that have looked at IPL treatment with respect to ocular rosacea, but it seems as though it might help if the facial flushing could be brought under control. If you're doing everything else to control your ocular symptoms, such as eyelid hygiene, antibiotics, etc, IPL may be worth a try, especially if you are a flusher.