Restoration of meibomian gland function in severe dry eye disease due to obstructive MGD with an automated physical therapy device

Abstract

AbstractWe compared the effectiveness of a single Lipiflow® treatment with combined lid warming and massage in patients with Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in a prospective, randomized, crossover, observer‐masked trial. Subjects were randomized to receive either a single 12‐min Lipiflow® treatment or to perform combined twice‐daily lid warming and massage for 3 months. All subjects received an examination pattern of subjective symptoms, lipid layer thickness, Meibomian gland assessment, tear break‐up time, tear osmolarity, corneal and conjunctival staining, Schirmer test values, and tear meniscus height before, and 1 and 3 months after initiation of treatments. A total of 31 subjects completed the 3‐month follow up. At 1 and 3 months, patients in the Lipiflow® treatment group had a significant reduction in subjective symptomes compared with those in the lid‐margin hygiene group. With regard to objective parameters, both treatments produced a significant improvement in expressible Meibomian glands; no other significant differences were noted between the two groups. Results of our study show that both a single Lipiflow® treatment and a 3‐month, twice‐daily lid margin hygiene regimen are effective therapies for MGD. Commercial interest