Efficacy of the Systane iLux Thermal Pulsation System for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction After 1 Week and 1 Month: A Prospective Study

The ILux® compared to the mechanical meibomian gland expression for the treatment of moderate and severe meibomian gland dysfunction

AIM

To compare the safety and effectiveness of eyelid treatment with the ILux®-MGD Treatment System in one session versus five sessions of mechanical meibomian gland expression (MMGE) in patients with moderate to severe meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, open-label, and controlled clinical trial that compared one session of the ILux® MGD Treatment System versus five sessions of MMGE in both eyes of 130 patients aged ≥18y with Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores ≥13, total meibomian gland scores (MGS) of <15 in the lower eyelid of each eye, and non-invasive tear break-up time (NI-TBUT) <10s, who were randomized 1:1 to ILux® or MMGE.

RESULTS

The mean age was 58±17.49y. Baseline total MGS scores in both treatment groups were comparable. During follow-up, there were significant differences in total MGS and per sector with P<0.001. Multivariate analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations corresponding to the generalized linear model for repeated means to determine the treatment relationship with total MGS, NIBUT, and OSDI. There was a significant difference between ILux® and MMGE (P<0.001) at follow-up from the first to the twelfth month in MGS, NI-BUT, and OSDI scores. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

ILux® treatment compared to MMGE significantly improves symptoms and signs in patients with moderate to severe MGD for one year without adverse events.

2022 Glenn A. Fry Award lecture: Enhancing clinical assessment for improved ophthalmic management

ABSTRACT

Detailed clinical assessment is critical to allow sensitive evaluation of the eye and its management. As technology advances, these assessment techniques can be adapted and refined to improve the detection of pathological changes of ocular tissue and their impact on visual function. Enhancements in optical medical devices including spectacle, contact, and intraocular lenses have allowed for a better understanding of the mechanism and amelioration of presbyopia and myopia control. Advancements in imaging technology have enabled improved quantification of the tear film and ocular surface, informing diagnosis and treatment strategies. Miniaturized electronics, large processing power, and in-built sensors in smartphones and tablets capacitate more portable assessment tools for clinicians, facilitate self-monitoring and treatment compliance, and aid communication with patients. This article gives an overview of how technology has been used in many areas of eye care to improve assessments and treatment and provides a snapshot of some of my studies validating and using technology to inform better evidence-based patient management.

Prevalence of Meibomian Gland Atrophy in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of meibomian gland (MG) atrophy in a US-based population of patients presenting for cataract surgery.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, case records of 391 patients aged 50 years or older, who had undergone a preoperative cataract surgery workup with meibography, were included. The amount of atrophy in the lower eyelid was graded as described by Arita et al (grade 0 = no atrophy, grade 1 = 1%-33% atrophy, grade 2 = 34%-66% atrophy, and grade 3 = >66% atrophy), and the prevalence of MG atrophy was determined. Associations between MG atrophy and demography, comorbidities, and risk factors were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 95.1% of patients (372/391) had MG atrophy ≥grade 1, with 50.4% (197/391) having grade 1, 25.8% (101/391) grade 2, and 18.9% (74/391) grade 3. MG atrophy had a statistically significant correlation with MG expressibility (R = 0.22; P = 0.001), but not with meibum grade (R = 0.103; P = 0.123) and telangiectasia (R = 0.014; P = 0.787). The prevalence of MG atrophy (≥grade 1) was comparable among patients who had previously been diagnosed with dry eye disease (DED) versus those who had not; however, the severity of MG atrophy was higher in patients with previous DED diagnosis (grade 2/3: 59% vs. 30.9%). Among patients with no previous history of DED, 18% (35/194) had moderate and 13% (25/194) had severe MG atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

MG atrophy is common in patients presenting for cataract surgery evaluation, indicating potential underdiagnosis. Routine use of meibography during preoperative screening in cataract surgery patients may facilitate more timely and effective diagnosis and treatment.

TFOS Lifestyle: Impact of elective medications and procedures on the ocular surface

The word "elective" refers to medications and procedures undertaken by choice or with a lower grade of prioritization. Patients usually use elective medications or undergo elective procedures to treat pathologic conditions or for cosmetic enhancement, impacting their lifestyle positively and, thus, improving their quality of life. However, those interventions can affect the homeostasis of the tear film and ocular surface. Consequently, they generate signs and symptoms that could impair the patient's quality of life. This report describes the impact of elective topical and systemic medications and procedures on the ocular surface and the underlying mechanisms. Moreover, elective procedures performed for ocular diseases, cosmetic enhancement, and non-ophthalmic interventions, such as radiotherapy and bariatric surgery, are discussed. The report also evaluates significant anatomical and biological consequences of non-urgent interventions to the ocular surface, such as neuropathic and neurotrophic keratopathies. Besides that, it provides an overview of the prophylaxis and management of pathological conditions resulting from the studied interventions and suggests areas for future research. The report also contains a systematic review investigating the quality of life among people who have undergone small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Overall, SMILE refractive surgery seems to cause more vision disturbances than LASIK in the first month post-surgery, but less dry eye symptoms in long-term follow up.

Systane iLux Thermal Pulsation System in the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Post-Hoc Analysis of a 12-Month, Randomized, Multicenter Study

Purpose

This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of Systane iLux, a thermal pulsation device, in patients with MGD, over 12 months post-single treatment.

Methods

This is a post-hoc analysis of a previous prospective, assessor-masked, parallel-group, multicenter study (NCT03956225) that compared the effectiveness and safety of iLux with LipiFlow in subjects with MGD. The original study included subjects with meibomian gland score (MGS) ≤12 in lower eyelids, Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Life-Symptom Bother (IDEEL-SB) module score &gt;16, and non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) &lt;10 seconds. Subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive a single bilateral treatment of iLux or LipiFlow. In this post-hoc analysis, mean changes in MGS, NITBUT (first break-up; seconds), IDEEL-SB module score, and corneal staining, from baseline to 12 months were analyzed post-single treatment with iLux.

Results

Data from 119 patients (n=238 eyes) treated with iLux were analyzed. The mean±SD age of the subjects was 58.4±13.4 years, with majority being female (79.0%). MGS (mean±SD) for both eyes improved significantly from baseline to 12 months (OD [baseline: 6.9±3.69; month 12: 22.8±11.31; change: 15.9±11.57, p&lt;0.0001]; OS [baseline: 6.4±3.66; month 12: 23.0±11.33; change: 16.7±11.40, p&lt;0.0001]). Similarly, significant improvements were observed in NITBUT (OD [baseline: 5.2±1.97; month 12: 7.0±3.68; change: 1.9±3.69, p&lt;0.0001]; OS [baseline: 5.6±1.96; month 12: 7.9±4.58; change: 2.3±4.59, p&lt;0.0001]) and IDEEL-SB score (p&lt;0.0001). Corneal staining reduced significantly from baseline to 12 months (OD [baseline: 2.1±2.96; month 12: 0.7±1.56; change: -1.4±2.65, p&lt;0.0001]; OS [baseline: 2.1±2.94; month 12: 0.7±1.44; change: -1.4±2.75, p&lt;0.0001]). Improvements in MGS, NITBUT, IDEEL-SB module score, and corneal staining were seen as early as week 2, and at months 1, 3, 6, and 9 (all p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

A single treatment with iLux significantly improved clinical parameters of MGS, NITBUT, and corneal staining, and patient-reported symptom assessment with IDEEL-SB in patients with MGD over 12 months.

Eyelid Warming Devices: Safety, Efficacy, and Place in Therapy

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is characterized by the obstruction and/or inflammation of the meibomian glands that result in decreased and altered meibum secretion. This results in deficiencies in the tear film lipid layer which contributes to increased evaporation and destabilization of the tear film. One of the mainstay therapies for MGD is medical devices that apply heat and/or pressure to the eyelids and promote the liquification and outflow of meibum into the tear film. Over the past two decades, there have been a surge of interest in diagnosing and managing MGD. As a result, numerous medical devices have been developed and each have their own unique approach to treating MGD. This narrative review was conducted to summarize the current state of knowledge on eyelid warming devices, specifically warm eye coverings, devices that direct heat and/or pressure to the eyelids, moisture chamber goggles, and light-based therapy. This review summarized 58 human clinical studies and found that most eyelid warming devices were efficacious in improving signs and symptoms in a wide range of MGD severities and were generally safe to use.