Abstract
Purpose :
Dry eye is a complex multifactorial disease with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Several conventional therapies targeting ocular surface have been used including artificial tears, autologous serum tears and anti-inflammatory drops, yet some patients do not benefit from these. Individuals with chronic ocular pain, wind and light allodynia are suggestive of neuropathic pathway involvement. This study describes the possibility of integrating Cefaly® into the daily routine of patients with dry eye and chronic ocular pain.
Methods :
During September 2019, 20-minute Cefaly® Device trials were performed at the Miami Veterans Administration Hospital. Three individuals were identified as candidates for home use Cefaly® due to suspected neuropathic pain and dry eye. Questions regarding ocular pain intensity, dryness, burning sensation, sensitivity to wind and light were asked before and after the Cefaly® trial. The same questions were asked during monthly follow up with a phone interview for a total of two months. Results were reported per patient using a scale ranging from 0-10,” 0” indicating no pain and “10” indicating the most severe pain imaginable.
Results :
All three patients were male within the age range of 34-85 years. All patients reported using Cefaly® three times a week for the prescribed 20 minute session. At two months, 2 of three patients reported subjective reduction in pain (8 to 7 and 6 to 3), burning sensation (6 to 3 and 3 to 0) and sensitivity to light (6 to 3 and 7 to 6) but no change in wind sensitivity and ocular dryness. One patient did not report any symptom relief during the two-month follow up. No adverse reactions were reported.
Conclusions :
Our data suggest that Cefaly® can be integrated by individuals as adjunctive therapy for dry eye and chronic ocular pain
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.