Table 3.

Per-protocol analysis for the primary and secondary endpoints after LLLT interventions.

	LLLT group (n = 20)	95% CI (LLLT)	Placebo group (n = 18)	95% CI (placebo)	Effect size (dcohen)	p-value
Primary endpoint
Fluorescein corneal staining (FCS)a	1.45 (1.39)	0.80–2.10	1.72 (1.23)	1.11–2.33	0.205	0.417
Secondary endpoints
Ocular surface disease index (OSDI)a	25.20 (19.29)	16.17–34.23	26.22 (16.91)	17.81–34.63	0.056	0.815
Tear break-up time (TBUT)b	6.84 (1.88)	5.96–7.73	6.64 (2.00)	5.65–7.73	− 0.103	0.749
Lissamine green conjunctival staining (LGCS)a	0.85 (0.99)	0.39–1.31	0.67 (0.84)	0.25–1.08	− 0.195	0.495
Schirmer’s testa	9.03 (4.41)	6.96–11.09	8.61 (4.80)	6.22–11.00	− 0.091	0.714
Lid debrisa	0.65 (1.04)	0.16–1.14	1.22 (1.00)	0.72–1.72	0.558	0.090
Lid swellinga	0.70 (0.98)	0.24–1.16	1.33 (1.37)	0.65–2.02	0.545	0.143
Lid telangiectasiaa	1.55 (0.83)	1.16–1.94	2.11 (1.28)	1.48–2.75	0.534	0.125
Meibomian gland qualitya	1.75 (0.79)	1.38–2.12	2.00 (0.69)	1.66–2.34	0.336	0.420
Meibomian gland expressibilitya	12.85 (1.75)	12.03–13.67	12.06 (1.98)	11.07–13.04	− 0.424	0.312
Upper eyelid meibographya	1.30 (1.26)	0.71–1.89	1.61 (1.38)	0.93–2.30	0.235	0.488
Lower eyelid meibographya	1.75 (1.25)	1.16–2.34	2.11 (1.02)	1.60–2.62	0.314	0.462

^aWilcoxon rank sum test results.

^bIndependent sample t-test.