Meet DS, a 42-year-old woman who experienced significant changes in eye health following chemotherapy for breast cancer. About a year after completing her chemotherapy, she began noticing a gradual onset of dryness, burning, and irritation in her eyes—symptoms she hadn’t faced prior to her cancer treatment.
🧐 Key Findings:
- Patient History: DS had previously been seen at our clinic for routine exams before her cancer diagnosis.
- Chemotherapy Impact: Pre- and post-chemotherapy meibography scans revealed a major shift, with her meibomian glands deteriorating from nearly normal structure to almost total gland loss.
- Symptoms: Persistent dryness, burning, and irritation emerged around a year after finishing chemotherapy.
Treatment Plan:
Once DS had been off chemotherapy for over a year (to avoid IPL contraindications), we initiated Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy. Although severe gland loss can limit symptom improvement, DS was eager to try IPL to alleviate her discomfort. Surprisingly, after her first session, she reported an impressive 80% improvement in symptoms. To maintain this relief, DS continues to receive IPL treatments quarterly.
Outcome:
Thanks to ongoing IPL therapy, DS has successfully managed her dry eye symptoms, demonstrating that IPL can provide meaningful relief even in cases of extreme gland loss following chemotherapy.
Conclusion:
This case highlights the potential of IPL to improve symptoms in patients with severe gland loss. For those who have completed chemotherapy, IPL can be a promising option once the appropriate time has passed.
#DryEyeTreatment #Chemotherapy #Optometry #IPL