Objective:

To compare short-term effects of a USB-powered warm compress and a disposable self-heating mask in adults with meibomian gland dysfunction.

Approach:

• Design and participants: Prospective, single-center randomized crossover trial of 15 adults aged 18–40 years with dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction. All participants completed both treatment phases.
• Interventions and outcomes: Participants used each device for 10 minutes daily for 5 consecutive days, with a 2-week washout between phases. Outcomes included noninvasive tear breakup time (TBUT), tear meniscus height, visual acuity, and SPEED symptom scores.

Key Findings:

• By Day 5, mean TBUT increased from 7.2 to 9.5 seconds with the USB-powered compress and from 7.3 to 7.9 seconds with the self-heating mask; the between-device difference was statistically significant.
• Mean tear meniscus height increased from 0.16 to 0.28 mm with the USB-powered compress and from 0.16 to 0.22 mm with the self-heating mask; the between-device difference was statistically significant.
• SPEED scores improved modestly with both devices, with no statistically significant between-device difference. Visual acuity remained stable, and no adverse events were reported.
• Qualitative feedback indicated a preference for the USB-powered device, citing consistent warmth and ease of reactivation.

Interpretation:

The USB-powered compress produced greater short-term improvements in objective tear film measurements than the disposable mask, but symptom scores did not differ significantly. The authors noted that the study could not establish whether these measurement changes lead to meaningful, lasting patient benefits.

Limitations:

• Small sample, single-center design, and short treatment periods limited assessment of long-term effectiveness.
• Supervised sessions did not assess at-home adherence; the young study population limits applicability to older adults and people with more severe disease.
• Eyelid surface temperatures were not measured, and meibography or other assessments of structural and biochemical changes were not performed.
• The trial was registered after recruitment began, and enrollment of 15 was below the planned maximum of 50.

Conclusion:

The authors called for further research on long-term outcomes, gland recovery, adherence, and cost-effectiveness. The article notes that Table 1 values are reported because the published abstract gives different Day 5 measurements; the corresponding author confirmed the Table 1 values after reviewing raw data.

Sources:

• PLOS One