Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.54(9) > 1009468

Kim, Kwon, Song, Kim, and Chung: Clinical Usefulness of a Thermal-Massaging System for Treatment of Dry Eye with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of KCL 990® for the treatment of dry eye with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods

Patients (n = 54 eyes, 27 subjects) diagnosed with dry eye with MGD were recruited for a prospective, one-month clinical trial. Patients received a twice-a-day 15-minute treatment using the KCL 990®. Effectiveness parame-ters included patient symptom scores using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires, tear osmolarity measured with TearLab® (TearLab Corporation, San Diego, CA, USA), classical tear break-up time (TBUT), and objective TBUT value using an Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS®, Visiometrics, Castelldefels, Spain). Data are presented for pre-treatment (baseline) and at 1 week and 1 month post-treatment. An objective TBUT value was estimated in each eye when the optical scattering index (OSI) started to increase consistently, and data were obtained at pretreatment (baseline) and at 1 month post-treatment.

Results

The symptom scores on OSDI questionnaires, tear osmolarity, and tear break-up time improved significantly from baseline to one week (p < 0.05). This improvement was maintained with no significant regression at 1 month (p < 0.05). The objective TBUT value decreased significantly at 1 month (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

KCL 990® contributed to improve not only signs and symptoms of dry eye with MGD, but also the function of the tear film and ocular surface.

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Figure 1.
The objective TBUT parameter is defined as the time that the optical scattering index (OSI) starts to increase con-sistently (black arrow).
jkos-54-1321f1.tif
Figure 2.
Photograph of the KCL 990® device.
jkos-54-1321f2.tif
Figure 3.
The mean Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) at baseline, 1 week, and at 1 month (* p < 0.05).
jkos-54-1321f3.tif
Figure 4.
The mean tear osmolarity at baseline, 1 week, and at 1 month (* p < 0.05).
jkos-54-1321f4.tif
Figure 5.
The mean clinical tear break-up time (TBUT) at baseline, 1 week, and at 1 month (* p < 0.05).
jkos-54-1321f5.tif
Figure 6.
The mean objective tear break-up time (TBUT) at baseline and at 1 month (* p < 0.05).
jkos-54-1321f6.tif
Table 1.
Demographics of 27 patients
Age (years) 56.7 ± 11.5
Sex (Male: Female) 11:16
BCVA (OD/OS, log MAR) 0.19 ± 0.16 / 0.16 ± 0.21
Oxford scheme grade 2.2 ± 0.6
Tear Osmolarity (mOsm/L) 316.0 ± 10.93
TBUT (sec) 4.63 ± 1.46
Objective TBUT (sec) 4.60 ± 2.36

Values are presented as mean ± SD.

BCVA = best corrected visual acuity; TBUT = tear break-up time.

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