Abstract
Purpose :
To compare the efficacy of a commercial eyelid cleanser and diluted baby shampoo in blepharitis management.
Methods :
Forty-three participants with clinical signs of blepharitis were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double-masked, paired-eye trial. A commercial eyelid cleanser (TheraTears® SteriLid®) was applied to the eyelids of one eye (randomized), and diluted baby shampoo (Johnson’s® No More Tears®) to the fellow eye, twice daily for four weeks. Tear film parameters, ocular surface characteristics, symptomatology (SPEED and SANDE questionnaires) and the expression of markers of inflammation (MMP-9, IL-6) and goblet cell function (MUC5AC), were assessed at baseline and on day 28.
Results :
No significant differences in baseline measurements were detected between treatment groups (all p>0.05). SPEED score, upper lid wiper epitheliopathy, greasy crusting, and trichiasis decreased significantly with both treatments (all p<0.05), and did not differ between groups (all p>0.05). Improvements in the tear film lipid layer, lower lid wiper epitheliopathy, cylindrical collarettes, and MMP-9 expression were found only with the commercial eyelid cleanser (all p<0.05), and a greater decrease in symptoms (SANDE questionnaire) was also observed (p=0.04). Meibomian gland orifice obstruction and MUC5AC expression worsened with baby shampoo treatment (both p<0.05). A significantly higher proportion of participants preferred the eyelid cleanser over the baby shampoo solution (p<0.001).
Conclusions :
Clinical improvements were observed with both treatments in blepharitis patients, although baby shampoo appeared to reduce goblet cell function. The commercial eyelid cleanser was shown to be more effective in reducing inflammation and improving lipid layer function, and was the preferred treatment option among participants.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.