Intense Pulsed Light in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

NCT ID: NCT05089591

Last Updated: 2021-10-22

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

38 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-10-20

Study Completion Date

2022-11-01

Brief Summary

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Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a major cause of dry eye disease (DED). Up to 86% of patients suffering from DED also show signs of MGD. Traditional treatment of MGD is based on eye lid hygiene and massage in combination with intensive usage of lubricants.

Recently, a novel technology the intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy was introduced, which shows promising results in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction. Originating from field of dermatology, subjecting improvement of dry eye symptoms was recognized after the treatment of facial rosacea using IPL. Different hypotheses exist how IPL treatment might improve the situation in the dry eye patient. Warming of the eyelid, due to the light application and reduction of bacterial load are two possible mode of actions. Further, the used wavelengths in IPL may be modified that the light is only absorbed by oxygenated haemoglobin, which lead to an obliteration of telangiectasia and reduced inflammation on the lid margin. This principal is applied in the treatment of facial rosacea.

Aim of this study is to investigate the effect of IPL therapy in patients with MGD on dry eye parameters as well as subjective complaints.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Bilateral comparison
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Study eyes

Study eye receives the standard energy dose as recommended by the manufacturer (between 8 and 12J/cm2, in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Intense Pulsed Light therapy

Intervention Type DEVICE

The LacryStim System is a CE marked device for treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. It stimulates and reactivates meibomian glands and improves the related dry eye condition. Intense pulsed light is emitted with a light spectrum from 610nm to 1200nm. Each treatment consists of short individual pulses lasting for 4ms separated by a 26ms lasting interval to hinder tissue temperature increase, thermal damage to the skin and inflammatory reaction. During this phase 8 to 12 J / cm2 are delivered. Selection of total energy levels depends on the skin type (Fitzpatrick Skin Types) as recommended by the manufacturer.

Control eyes

The control eye is treated using low energy dose energy (1J/ cm2) as sham treatment, ensuring blinding of the respective patient.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham Treatment

Intervention Type DEVICE

The fellow eye serves as the control eye. Study eye receives the standard energy dose as recommended by the manufacturer (between 8 and 12J/cm2, in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations). The control eye is treated using low energy dose energy (1J/ cm2) as sham treatment, ensuring blinding of the respective patient.

Interventions

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Intense Pulsed Light therapy

The LacryStim System is a CE marked device for treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. It stimulates and reactivates meibomian glands and improves the related dry eye condition. Intense pulsed light is emitted with a light spectrum from 610nm to 1200nm. Each treatment consists of short individual pulses lasting for 4ms separated by a 26ms lasting interval to hinder tissue temperature increase, thermal damage to the skin and inflammatory reaction. During this phase 8 to 12 J / cm2 are delivered. Selection of total energy levels depends on the skin type (Fitzpatrick Skin Types) as recommended by the manufacturer.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham Treatment

The fellow eye serves as the control eye. Study eye receives the standard energy dose as recommended by the manufacturer (between 8 and 12J/cm2, in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations). The control eye is treated using low energy dose energy (1J/ cm2) as sham treatment, ensuring blinding of the respective patient.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age older than 18 years
* Presence of meibomian gland dysfunction at any stage
* Presence of meibomian glands on each lower eyelid's Meibography

Exclusion Criteria

* Fitzpatrick Skin Type VI
* Usage of eye drops other than lubricants (e.g. antibiotics, steroids, cyclosporin-A)
* Usage of systemic antibiotic therapy
* Any pathology of the ocular surface except dry eye disease (e.g. corneal scarring, cornea ectasia)
* Ocular surgery within prior 3 months
* Ocular injury within prior 3 months
* Ocular herpes of eye or eyelid within prior 3 months
* Active ocular infection
* Active ocular inflammation or history of chronic, recurrent ocular inflammation within prior 3 months
* Eyelid abnormalities that affect lid function
* Ocular surface abnormality that may compromise corneal integrity
* Pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Prim. Prof. Dr. Oliver Findl, MBA

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Prim. Prof. Dr. Oliver Findl, MBA

Prim. Univ. Prof. Dr. Oliver Findl, MBA

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery

Vienna, , Austria

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Austria

Central Contacts

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Stefan Palkovits, MD, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+43 (0)1 91021- 57564

Andreas Schlatter, MD

Role: CONTACT

+43 (0)1 91021- 57564

Facility Contacts

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Oliver Findl, MD, FEBO

Role: primary

+43 (0)1 91021- 57564

References

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Schlatter A, Palkovits S, Amir-Asgari S, Ruiss M, Zeilinger J, Rotter A, Schmidl D, Findl O. Safety and efficacy of a novel intense pulsed light system in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomized, double-masked, intra-individual controlled study. Int Ophthalmol. 2025 Jun 16;45(1):246. doi: 10.1007/s10792-025-03622-2.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 40524073 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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IPL

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id