Eyelid margin cleaning at an elevated controlled temperature reduced dry eye symptoms after seven days in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), according to a US study.
The results of the multi-site clinical study evaluating the effectiveness of a new product, EverTears, were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry in San Diego recently.
Presenting the study, optometrist Dr Ron Melton said it evaluated the use of EverTears self-heated eyelid cleaning pads (ThermaMEDx) in 39 patients with MGD. The study participants were 87% women, 72% were aged 55 years old or older, while 62% used eye drops, and 21% used other eyelid warming devices.
On its website, ThermaMEDx says EverTears is activated by bending the moist pad, which is then placed on the closed eye for two minutes. After resting for two minutes, the pad is wiped along the base of the eyelashes and flipped, then the process is repeated.
The company claims dry eye symptoms can be lessened in just five minutes.
Dr Melton told news organisation Healio that the maintained temperature kept the meibum in liquid form “and you’re wiping while it’s still hot. The controlled moist heat for the appropriate time allows you to milk the oil glands, and you get the cleaning action”.
The study patients filled out an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire at baseline and after seven and 28 days of eyelid pad use.
For day seven responders, the mean OSDI score decreased by 12.7 points, and the majority of those who reported the most severe symptoms at baseline were classified as asymptomatic at day seven.
For day 28 responders, the mean OSDI score decreased by 18.4 points, and the majority of those who reported the most severe symptoms at baseline were classified as asymptomatic at day 28.
“Of importance for patient acceptance of the prescribed management was that improvement in symptomatology was very rapid and already highly clinically significant after seven days,” the researchers said in the study.
