Vectored Thermal Pulsation, Intense Pulsed Light, and Eyelid Warm Compress Therapies for MGD

Summary

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), closely associated with Dry Eye Disease (DED), is a chronic condition where terminal ducts are obstructed and/or glandular secretion changes. The efficacy of traditional treatment options, e.g. eyelid warm compress therapy (EW) is limited with low compliance. This study aims to (1)compare the efficacy and safety of two emerging alternatives- vectored thermal pulsation(VTP) or intense pulsed light and meibomian gland expression(IPL + MGX) with EW therapy; (2)identify factors predicting outcome. This is a prospective, randomized, assessor-masked, active-controlled clinical study. 360 participants (360 study eyes) with mild-to-moderate MGD will be randomized by minimization into three arms equally, receiving either VTP by TearScience-LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System (month 0), IPL by Lumenis®️M22 with MGX (month 0, 1, 2, 3) or EW (twice daily). Lubricating eye drops (3% Hypromellose) will be provided for all subjects throughout the study period(15 months). Tear film breakup time will be assessed as primary outcome at month 6, 15. Serial measurements of MG, tear-film, DED-related parameters, intraocular pressure, compliance to EW, factors associated with outcomes and treatment-related complications will be conducted at baseline and each follow-up visit by masked observers at baseline and eight follow-up evaluation (month 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15).

Timeline

Start

2022-10-08

Primary completion

2024-12-01

Completion

2025-01-26

Publications

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• Background Wladis EJ, Aakalu VK, Foster JA, Freitag SK, Sobel RK, Tao JP, Yen MT. Intense Pulsed Light for Meibomian Gland Disease: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. 2020 Sep;127(9):1227-1233. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.03.009. Epub 2020 Apr 21.
• Background Tashbayev B, Yazdani M, Arita R, Fineide F, Utheim TP. Intense pulsed light treatment in meibomian gland dysfunction: A concise review. Ocul Surf. 2020 Oct;18(4):583-594. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2020.06.002. Epub 2020 Jul 3.
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• Background Pang SP, Chen YT, Tam KW, Lin IC, Loh EW. Efficacy of Vectored Thermal Pulsation and Warm Compress Treatments in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cornea. 2019 Jun;38(6):690-697. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000001907.
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• Background Korb DR, Greiner JV, Herman JP, Hebert E, Finnemore VM, Exford JM, Glonek T, Olson MC. Lid-wiper epitheliopathy and dry-eye symptoms in contact lens wearers. CLAO J. 2002 Oct;28(4):211-6. doi: 10.1097/01.ICL.0000029344.37847.5A.
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• Background Tomlinson A, Bron AJ, Korb DR, Amano S, Paugh JR, Pearce EI, Yee R, Yokoi N, Arita R, Dogru M. The international workshop on meibomian gland dysfunction: report of the diagnosis subcommittee. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011 Mar 30;52(4):2006-49. doi: 10.1167/iovs.10-6997f. Print 2011 Mar. No abstract available.
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Indications