Abstract
Purpose :
The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if correction of non-strabismic binocular visual dysfunction using the Neurolens® system improves symptoms of patients with multifactorial dry eye disease.
Methods :
The Neurolens® system measures eye misalignments as small as 0.1 prism diopters using an electronic eye tracking system, and accordingly fits patients with customizable prescription lenses with a specialized contoured prism. A retrospective review was conducted on all patients treated in the Scheie Eye Institute Dry Eye Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania who were also prescribed lenses using the Neurolens® system. Patients held the diagnosis of multifactorial dry eye disease including meibomian gland dysfunction, tear film insufficiency, and/or Sjogren’s disease. All patients also received ongoing traditional treatments for dry eye. Data including patient age, sex, visual acuity, clinical exam findings, and symptoms evaluated by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was collected before and after prescription of the lenses.
Results :
Thirteen patients were included in the study, and 14 were excluded due to lack of follow up. The average age of patients was 53.5 years old (SD 16.7). 85% of patients were female and 15% male. The average follow up time was 6.3 months (SD 2.63). There was no significant change in visual acuity on follow up (p=0.46). When asked if they felt if the lenses improved their symptoms, 9 out of 13 (69%) of patients reported improvement after prescription of Neurolens®. This was also evidenced by a statistically significant decrease in average OSDI score from baseline to follow-up after prescription of lenses (47.2 vs 38.0, p=0.03). There was no significant difference in conjunctival or corneal staining on slit lamp examination on follow up (p=0.34).
Conclusions :
We conclude that correction of non-strabismic binocular visual dysfunction in patients with multifactorial dry eye disease, along with traditional dry eye treatment modalities, results in a statistically significant decrease in OSDI scores. Improvement in OSDI scores without change in conjunctival or corneal staining suggests that correction of misalignment, rather than any modulation of the ocular surface with additional treatments, improved symptoms. This study helps provide supporting evidence for an innovative non-invasive treatment for dry eye patients.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.