Thermal Pulsation Versus Warm Compress Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

This prospective, single-center, single-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial compared the Systane iLux handheld thermal pulsation system with a warm compress mask (Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress, Bruder Healthcare, Alpharetta, GA, USA) for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Subjects aged 18 or older were randomized 1:1 to either a single in-office thermal pulsation treatment or twice-daily use of the warm compress mask, with both eyes undergoing the same treatment. Enrollment criteria included Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score \>23, total meibomian gland secretion (MGS) score \< or =12 in the lower lid of each eye, and tear break-up time (TBUT) \< 10 seconds. TBUT, MGS, and corneal staining scores were evaluated at baseline, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks. Symptoms were evaluated using the OSDI questionnaire at baseline, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks.