Short-term effect of eyelid-warming device on the tear film: a randomized observational comparative study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the short-term effect of using an eyelid-warming device compared to artificial tears on the tear film parameters of dry eye subjects.

Method: The case-control study was conducted at the Optometry Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 5 to May 15, 2021, and comprised young females with dry eyes who were randomized into intervention group A and control group B. In group A patients, an eyelid-warming device called Blephasteam was applied for 10 minutes, while artificial tears were used for group B patients. The non-invasive tear breakup time and phenol red thread tests were used at the baseline as well as 5 minutes and 60 minutes after the application. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.

Results: Of the 38 female patients with a mean age of 21.4±1.5 years, 19(50%) were in group A with a mean age of 21.5±0.9 years, and 19(50%) were in group B with a mean age of 21.3±1.9 years. Both groups showed significant improvement in terms of stability and volume of the tear film after the application at both 5 minutes and 60 minutes (p<0.05). Intergroup comparisons indicate a significant difference at baseline NITBUT measurements (p=0.035), while the PRT score was significantly higher at 60 minutes (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The short-term use of an eyelid-warming device increased the scores of tear breakup time and volume of tears in young females with dry eyes. Such devices could be used as an alternative to artificial tears.

Key Words: Dry eye disease, Tear, Cornea, Meibomian gland, lubricant eye drops.