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

OBJECTIVES: To assess 1-week and 1-month efficacy of Systane iLux thermal pulsation treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: This prospective, nonrandomized, open-label, multicenter study enrolled 30 adult patients (60 eyes) who had a Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire score greater than 6 and total meibomian gland secretion (MGS) score equal to or less than 12 in each eye. All participants received thermal pulsation treatment bilaterally. Primary efficacy measures included MGS score (sum of grades for 15 glands graded on a scale of 0–3; 0 [no secretion], 1 [inspissated], 2 [cloudy], and 3 [clear liquid]) and tear breakup time (TBUT). Secondary efficacy measures were SPEED and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 52.9±11.9 years. After 1 week, the mean MGS score improved significantly from 4.1±3.1 to 15.8±7.1 (right eye, OD) and 3.7±3.1 to 16.7±7.6 (left eye, OS); mean TBUT improved significantly from 4.9±4.1 to 8.4±3.6 (OD) and 5.2±4.2 to 8.9±3.9 (OS); and mean SPEED and OSDI scores improved significantly from 16.1±5.3 to 7.2±6.1 and 45.2±21.3 to 19.0±16.8, respectively (all P<0.001). After 1 month, the mean MGS score improved to 18.3±8.2 (OD) and 18.6±7.3 (OS); mean TBUT improved to 9.7±3.8 (OD) and 9.6±3.5 (OS); and mean SPEED and OSDI scores improved to 7.0±5.6 and 16.7±14.5, respectively (all P<0.001). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Systane iLux thermal pulsation treatment for MGD resulted in a statistically significant increase in meibomian gland secretion, improvement in tear film stability, and reduction in dry eye symptoms as early as both 1 week and 1 month.