The Impact of Dry Eye Syndrome on Metrics of Low Contrast Vision Before and After Meibomian Gland Expression

University of the Incarnate Word

Status: Completed

Conditions: Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Treatments: Procedure: Meibomian gland (MG) expression

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05713981

2022-1283-EXP

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aims to determine the impact of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) dry eye on low contrast black/white (luminance) and cone color sensitivity performance and improvement in these functions after in-house non-invasive Meibomian gland (MG) expression.

Full description

This study offers possible benefits from gland expression to patients and subjects in terms of clinical measurements and care associated with meibomian gland dysfunction impacting all age ranges. Prior studies show that these interventions improve dry eye symptoms with intent to improve vision, low contrast color, and B/W vision after intervention in this study.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals over the age of 18 years
• Healthy individuals with reported symptoms of dry eye such as burning, stinging, fluctuating vision, inappropriate tearing, and feelings of grittiness particularly with prolonged near work

Exclusion criteria

• Under the age of 18
• Individuals currently using prescription eye medications for dry eye / MGD / inflammation / Infections or any other treatments.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 1 patient group

non-invasive Meibomian gland (MG) expression

Experimental group

Description:

Baseline testing of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color vision, and Innova, Inc. cone and B/W low contrast vision will be measured. The intervention will be standard clinical expression of Meibomian superior and inferior glands (MG) using a sterile cotton tip applicator to apply gentle pressure in a rolling motion in the direction of the MGs along the upper and lower eyelid margins to allow oil secretion of the tested eye. One drop of sterile saline will be instilled following the intervention to remove debris. The subject's visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color vision, and Innova, Inc. cone and B/W low contrast vision will be measured before and after this intervention.

Treatment:

Procedure: Meibomian gland (MG) expression