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Abstract ID: 24-170
The short-term efficacy of vectored thermal pulsation, intense pulsed light, and eyelid warm compress therapies for meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomized control trial
Kelvin Chong
Purpose
To evaluate the short-term efficacy of vectored thermal pulsation (VTP), intense pulsed light (IPL), and eyelid warm compress (EW) for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
Methods
This is a randomized, assessor-masked, 3-arm, active-controlled trial. Subjects were randomized into 3 equal-sized treatment groups: VTP, IPL, and EW. We compared preliminary month-4 results to baseline using paired T-tests. One-way ANOVA test was used to compare month-4 results between treatment groups. Oxford Scheme corneal and conjunctival staining, tear break-up time (TBUT), quality of expressed meibum (QoEM), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) were analysed. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05577910)
Results
157 subjects (112 females, 71.33%) completed month-4 visit with mean age 53.71 ±14.67. VTP reduced conjunctival staining (0.48, p=0.016), increased TBUT (0.75, p=0.003) and improved OSDI score (5.56, p=0.019). IPL increased TBUT (0.89, p<0.001), improved OSDI score (4.34, p=0.037). EW increased TBUT (1.14, p<0.001). No treatment group improved QoEM. Month-4 one-way ANOVA revealed significant difference between groups for cornea and conjunctival staining (p=0.008 and p=0.002 respectively). No other clinical signs were different between groups at month 4.
Conclusion
Some improvements for MGD were seen across all treatment groups. Despite IPL showing a higher staining grade compared to VTP and EW at month-4, no significant difference was found between month-4 and baseline for staining grade within the IPL group. Our preliminary data had yet to show superiority among the treatment groups. Our on-going trial will provide 15-month follow-up data for comparing efficacy between the three treatment modalities to provide further insight for MGD treatment.
Additional Authors
Zhichao Hu – Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Wai Yan Lam – Department of Ophthalmology, Grantham Hospital
Stella Weng Chi Sio – Hong Kong Eye Hospital
Hanson Yiu Man Wong – Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong