LipiFlow ‘stands the test of time’ in treating meibomian gland dysfunction
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Key takeaways:
- LipiFlow has consistently demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating meibomian gland dysfunction.
- The review showed diversity in patient population and study type.
Since entering the market in 2011 as a treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction, the LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System has consistently demonstrated its efficacy, according to a 15-year review published in Ophthalmology and Therapy.
“LipiFlow propelled therapeutic manual expression of meibomian glands from obscurity in research to mainstream clinical care and practice, by virtue of the fact that it was able to administer this technology in an automated, safe and comfortable way,” Caroline A. Blackie, PhD, senior medical director at Johnson & Johnson Vision, told Healio. “It’s a great example of a disruptive technology that has really stood the test of time.”
For the review, Blackie and colleagues identified 55 articles, which included 2,101 patients and 3,521 eyes in a range of study types, to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of LipiFlow (Johnson & Johnson). Collectively, the studies showed that a single, 12-minute treatment improved the signs and symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), with benefits persisting up to 3 years for some patients.
“What LipiFlow did as a highly disruptive technology was innovate a method to heat the glands from the internal lid surface — as opposed to the external lid surface — and simultaneously squeeze the contents out of the glands while heat was being applied,” Blackie said. “It greatly reduced the amount of pressure required because you’re heating and squeezing at the same time, and something that was really uncomfortable is no longer uncomfortable.”
According to Blackie, LipiFlow came on the scene in conjunction with an awakening within the research community, placing MGD center-stage as a leading cause of dry eye.
The results of the review validated that LipiFlow has consistently delivered results across a variety of trials and study types as well as patient populations. A total of 45 studies examined LipiFlow treatment for patients with dry eye disease or meibomian gland dysfunction and included patients with cataract, glaucoma or chalazion, as well as patients who underwent refractive surgery.
“Over the 15 years since its innovation, the results have been very consistent,” Blackie said. “Whether it’s a randomized controlled clinical trial, a nonrandomized trial, an observational study or all the other study approaches represented in the review, we see the device reliably increases meibomian gland function.”
In 10 randomized controlled trials that evaluated LipiFlow’s safety, there were no LipiFlow-related adverse events or other safety concerns. In five open-label studies that evaluated the LipiFlow’s effectiveness 1 to 3 years after treatment, benefits lasted up to 3 years.
“This technology was innovated with the patient in mind,” Blackie told Healio. “It is just such an exciting and inspiring story of innovation that stands the test of time. That makes me excited about the future because phenomenal innovation raises the bar for future innovation. I look forward to that.”
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