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Single-dose vectored thermal pulsation may treat meibomian gland dysfunction
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A single vectored thermal pulsation treatment may offer 12 months of reduction in dry eye symptoms for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, according to a study.
Researchers included 400 eyes of 200 subjects in the prospective, multicenter, open-label clinical trial. Patients were randomized into a single vectored thermal pulsation (VTP) treatment group or a control group of twice-daily, 3-month, conventional warm compress and eyelid hygiene. Control patients received crossover VTP treatment at 3 months.
Meibomian gland secretion and dry eye symptoms were measured at baseline and again at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.
The treatment group had a statistically significant greater mean improvement in meibomian gland secretion (P < .001) and dry eye symptoms (P = .0068) compared with the control group at 3 months. Over the course of 12 months, the treatment group received only one VTP treatment and no other prescribed meibomian gland dysfunction or dry eye therapy. The treatment group sustained the mean improvement throughout the entire year.
Additionally, the crossover group saw an improvement 1 month after receiving VTP treatment.
“A single VTP treatment can deliver a sustained effect over 1 year, as shown by mean improvement in meibomian gland function and mean reduction in dry eye symptoms from baseline. These results also show that most patients, 86.2%, did not receive additional prescribed therapy for symptom relief after a single VTP treatment during the 12-month study period,” the study authors wrote. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosure: Blackie reports she is an employee of TearScience. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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Blackie CA, et al. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016;doi:10.2147/OPTH.S109663.
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