Purpose: To assess the effect of a novel intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy on tear proteins and lipids in eyes with Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: Twenty-four eyes of 12 patients with MGD were recruited and received five overlapping flashes (565-1400 nm) directed at the lower eyelid. The IPL parameters include intensity: 2.5 to 6.5 J/cm 2 , voltage: 100 to 240 V, frequency: 50 to 60 Hz, input: 16 W, maximum optical energy: 23 J, pulse duration: <2.0 ms, and repetition time: 1-3.5 s. Tear samples were evaluated immediately before and 2 weeks after IPL therapy and included measurements of protein concentration, electrophoretic mobility by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, lipid profile assessments, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for phospholipids. Results: Significant improvements were observed in tear protein concentrations and molecular weight after IPL therapy. The most pronounced effect was in the molecular weight of tear lysozyme, lactoferrin, and albumin. Tear lipids showed an improvement in the concentrations of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids. On TLC, the tears in patients with MGD had significantly lower amounts of anionic phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine but amounts zwitterionic neutral phospholipid phosphatidylcholine were normal. These anionic phospholipids showed obvious recovery after IPL therapy. Conclusion: IPL therapy is effective in eyes with MGD. It improved tear protein and lipid content and composition. The anionic phospholipids were more responsive to IPL therapy than were the other zwitterionic phospholipids.

This study aims to determine serum folate and plasma homocysteine levels in healthy pregnant women following a live birth and compare them with healthy non-pregnant women. Fifty healthy gravid multiparous women are included in the study and 25 normal non-pregnant female subjects act as controls (group I). The pregnant women are divided into two groups according to interpregnancy interval: group II (six months or less); group III (18-24 months). Venous blood samples are analysed for red blood cell folate and homocysteine, vitamin B12, serum folate and albumin, and serum aminotransferases (ALT and AST). There was a significant decrease in red cell folate and serum folate in group II compared to the control group (P<0.001). Serum vitamin B12 showed no significant difference. Plasma homocysteine and serum albumin showed significant decreases in both groups II and III compared to the control group. (P<0.001) There was significant positive correlation between homocysteine and serum albumin in the three studied groups. (r=0.42, P<0.001; r=0.45, P<0.001; r=0.51, P<0.001, respectively). There was significant negative correlation between red cell folate and homocysteine in the three studied groups. (r=-0.48, P<0.001; r=-0.53, P<0.001; r=-0.49, P<0.001, respectively). Two cases in group II showed signs of intrauterine growth retardation. The results suggest that pregnant females with short interpregnancy intervals are more likely to develop folate deficiency. Educational strategies are required to increase folate awareness among women to promote the benefits of folic acid supplementation. Mandatory folate fortification of foods should be defined and monitored.