Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the clinical performance of OcuTherm use in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
Methods :
A prospective, open-label, single-center clinical trial of 30 patients was completed. OSDI scores were recorded at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Use of the OcuTherm System as well as topical lubricants and other dry eye and ocular surface treatments was recorded in subject diaries and questionnaires. The OcuTherm System is an at-home thermal treatment system designed to provide specific physico-mechanical elements that may benefit patients with MGD and blepharitis, including clean-barrier, eyelid-targeting moist heat that is applied through conductive heat transfer; anatomic contouring to and full covering of both eyelids; and adjunctive gentle eyelid massage and post-treatment eyelid margin cleaning.
Results :
Compared to the baseline OSDI of 31.3±20.9, mean OSDI was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced at 2 weeks (19.0±15.5) and 4 weeks (17.4±18.6), indicating a reduction in the frequency and severity of dry eye symptoms. Mean compliance with OcuTherm use during the 4-week study was 1.3±0.6 uses per day and 14.0±6.2 minutes per treatment. Topical lubricant use decreased by 20% between week 1 and week 4, although the decrease did not achieve statistical significance (P=.112). At baseline, 97% of subjects used some type of ocular surface treatment, including 87% of subjects who used conventional (washcloth) warm compresses. 100% of interviewed subjects who had used washcloths reported preferring the OcuTherm System to the washcloth. No subjects had difficulty using the OcuTherm system at home, and there were no adverse events. Subjects used the terms “soothing,” “relaxing,” and “comforting” to describe OcuTherm therapy.
Conclusions :
Use of the OcuTherm System was associated with significant symptom reduction, strong compliance, high patient satisfaction, and low risk. The OcuTherm System may be beneficial in patients with MGD and blepharitis who are symptomatic despite conventional dry eye therapy. More comprehensive and detailed studies are needed.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.