Abstract
Purpose: :
Posterior blepharitis is a main cause of dry eye. Lid hygiene is an important treatment, but compliance is often poor because of its complexity and lack of specific devices. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of wet chamber warming goggles (Blephasteam®) in adult posterior blepharitis.
Methods: :
In this interventional prospective uncontrolled study, adults with meibomian gland dysfunction were enrolled. Blephasteam® (Laboratoires Thea, Clermont-Ferrand, France) was used once or twice a day during 10 minutes, with a following lid massage. Main oucome measures were assessed at baseline and after 3 weeks, including symptoms, signs of blepharitis, Schirmer test, Break up time, corneal fluorescein vital staining, and tear osmolarity (measured with the Tearlab® system).
Results: :
Eleven patients (8 women, 3 men), mean age 50 ± 16 years (24 to 70 years) were included at Bichat Hospital. After 3 weeks of treatment, mean global visual analogic scale symptom score and composite symptom score decreased by -18 mm (range, +32 to -57 mm on a 100 mm scale) and -4 points (range, +1 to -13 on a 18 points scale), respectively. Mean composite blepharitis score decreased by -3 points (range, +2 to -6 on a 20 points scale). No change was observed for the other parameters. Patient reported improvement was important in 6 cases, moderate in 2 and fair in 3.
Conclusions: :
Blephasteam® wet chamber warming goggles are a promising alternative to classical lid hygiene techniques. A multicenter study is ongoing.
Clinical Trial: :
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01091311
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye