Abstract
Purpose :
Evaporative dry eye is the most prevalent subtype of dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause. Recommended standard of care is lid hygiene comprising patient-applied warm compress therapy and gland expression, but patient compliance is poor. This study sought to evaluate DED treatment efficacy over 3 months following a single treatment with a novel, handheld thermal pulsation device with clinician-guided gland expression (Systane iLUX®, Alcon), relative to daily lid hygiene.
Methods :
Participants with DED diagnosed according to TFOS DEWS II criteria, and signs of MGD, were enrolled in a prospective, 6-month, investigator-masked, bilateral, parallel-group comparator trial and randomised to receive either a single Systane iLUX treatment or daily lid hygiene. Ocular surface signs and symptoms were assessed at baseline and at months 1 to 6 following treatment.
Results :
Data are reported for 77 participants (59±14 years; 82% Female) who received bilateral iLux treatment (n=38), or daily lid hygiene (n=39), and completed the 3 month follow up visit. Sustained improvements from baseline in tear film lipid layer grade, expressed meibum quality, superior and inferior lid wiper epitheliopathy signs were noted from month-1 onwards in both study groups (all p<0.05). Significant reductions in OSDI scores were observed from month-1 onwards in the Systane iLUX treatment group, while improvements in OSDI scores were not detected until month-2 onwards in the daily lid hygiene group (both p<0.01).
Conclusions :
Sustained improvements in dry eye signs and symptoms relative to baseline, occurred from month 1 onwards. At the month-3 time point, efficacy of the single Systane iLUX treatment in reducing DED signs and symptoms proved to be as effective as daily lid hygiene. The convenience of a single treatment application that can replace months of daily warm compress application may appeal to patients who struggle with therapeutic compliance.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.