EyeBag Effectiveness in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Overview

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common condition that causes the secretion from meibomian glands in the eyelids to become blocked. Normally, the secretion helps to maintain a healthy tear film. In MGD, the tear film becomes unstable and often causes dry eye symptoms. Treatments often involve gently warming the eyelids to melt this blockage which prevents tears from spreading over the eye. Although there has been some research on application of heat with warm moist flannels, the Eye Bags potentially offers a simpler and more effective method of applying heat to the eyelids. This study will test the efficiency of these eyelid warming devices over a period of two weeks use in one eye compared to the other non-treated eye.

Study Design Contralateral treatment study Randomised eye treated with heated eyebag in the morning and evening each day as per manufacturer's instructions Other eye acts as control with room temperature eyebag overlaid in same manner as treatment eye Investigators masked SMS messaging twice a day for 14 days to remind patients to use eyebag and collect 0-10 comfort score

Conditions

Interventions