ESCRS - PO244 - Efficacy Of Thermal Pulsation Treatment In Patients Affected By Meibomian Gland Dysfunction In Reducing Post-Cataract Surgery Dry Eye

Efficacy Of Thermal Pulsation Treatment In Patients Affected By Meibomian Gland Dysfunction In Reducing Post-Cataract Surgery Dry Eye

Published 2022 - 40th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO244 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/c8pq-5w28

Authors: Stefano Mercuri* 1 , Michela Cennamo 1 , Eleonora Favuzza 1 , Alberto Morelli 1 , Flavia Lucarelli 1 , Rita Mencucci 1

1Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health, Eye Clinic,University of Florence,Florence,Italy

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of LipiFlow thermal pulsation treatment (Johnson & Johnson, USA) performed before cataract surgery in reducing signs and symptoms of postoperative dry eye disease (DED) in patients with mild-moderate Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).

Setting

Eye Clinic, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Methods

This prospective, unmasked, controlled clinical trial included 46 patients affected by age-related cataract and mild-moderate MGD. Patients were randomized in two groups: 1) A single LipiFlow treatment performed one month before surgery (n=23); 2) Warm compresses + eyelid massages twice a day for one month before surgery (n=23), acting as control group. Non-invasive Break-up Time (NI-BUT), Schirmer test, SPEED questionnaire and MG functionality parameters were evaluated at each visit. Patients were consecutively evaluated at Visit 0 (baseline, around 1 month before surgery), Visit 1 (prior to surgery), Visit 2 (one month after surgery). Primary outcome was the change in NI-BUT of LipiFlow group and control group between Visit 0 and Visit 2.

Results

Patients in LipiFlow group significantly improved in NI-BUT, SPEED questionnaire, MG functionality parameters at Visit 1 (p<0.05) and Visit 2 (p<0.05) compared to baseline and did not significantly worsen between Visit 1 and Visit 2.(p>0.05)
Control group did not show significant improvement in any ocular surface parameter between baseline and Visit 1 (p>0.05), while worsened between Visit 1 and Visit 2.(p<0.05)
Patients in Lipiflow group had significantly better NI-BUT, SPEED questionnaire, MG functionality parameters compared to controls at Visit 2.(p<0.03)
Patients treated with Lipiflow displayed a significantly higher improvement in mean change in NI-BUT, SPEED questionnaire, MG functionality parameters compared to control group.(p<0.05)

Conclusions

A single preoperative LipiFlow thermal pulsation treatment was effective in preventing post-cataract surgery DED in patients with mild-moderate MGD, allowing treated patients a significantly better ocular surface status compared to warm compresses at 1 month after surgery.