Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the changes that a recently developed at-home device using low-level light therapy (LLLT) produced in signs and symptoms of patients with dry eye disease (DED) owing to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with DED owing to MGD not successfully responding to first-line therapy (tear substitutes and eye lid hygiene) were treated with four serial sessions (every other day) of mask based on LLLT technology and dedicated for home use (my-mask(®), Espansione Marketing S.p.A., Bologna, Italy). Non-invasive ocular surface examination was carried out by means of Keratograph 5M (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) before and after four mask sessions for the evaluation of (i) tear meniscus height (TMH); (ii) first and average non-invasive Keratograph breakup time (NIKBUT); (iii) meibomian gland loss (MGL). Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was used to assess ocular discomfort symptoms. RESULTS: Overall, 17 patients (3 male, 14 female; mean age 61.47 ± 11.93 years) were enrolled and all of them regularly completed the entire cycle of four sessions without reporting any adverse event. The mean values of NIKBUT first and NIKBUT average increased significantly after treatment (from 5.29 ± 2.60 at T0 to 9.04 ± 3.49 s at T1 [P = 0.001] and from 9.40 ± 3.81 to 11.28 ± 2.81 s [P = 0.017]); in parallel, the mean value of TMH increased significantly from 0.27 ± 0.06 to 0.32 ± 0.09 mm (P = 0.029). Conversely, there were not statistically significant differences for MGL (P = 0.346). In addition, the mean value of OSDI score decreased after treatment (from 32.00 ± 7.96 at T0 to 20.71 ± 8.03 at T1; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One week of serial sessions of a newly developed LLLT device for home use significantly improved tear film production and stability along with ocular discomfort symptoms in patients with DED owing to MGD. These findings open up a new scenario for patients with MGD who can enjoy the unique benefits of LLLT at home.