Table 4.
Summary of Devices That Deliver Heat and/or Pressure for the Treatment of MGD
| Device | Paper | N | Clinical Outcomes That Were Improveda | Adverse Events Related to Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LipiFlow | Greiner. 2012. A single LipiFlow thermal Pulsation System treatment improves meibomian gland function and reduces dry eye symptoms for 9 months.45 | 21 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| iLux LipiFlow |
Tauber et al 2020. Comparison of the iLUX and the LipiFlow for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial.38 | 142 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
iLux: some participants felt it was too hot. Petechial hemorrhage in lower palpebral conjunctiva. Corneal staining/reduced VA. LipiFlow: none |
| iLux | Schanzlin et al 2022. Efficacy of the Systane iLux Thermal Pulsation System for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction After 1 Week and 1 Month: A Prospective Study.52 | 30 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| MiBoFlo LipiFlow |
Li et al 2021. Effect of a Novel Thermostatic Device on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Chinese Patients.50 | 54 | Improved symptoms Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| LipiFlow | Zhao et al 2016. Clinical Trial of Thermal pulsation (LipiFlow) in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction with Pre-treatment Meibography.53 | 46 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| LipiFlow | Blackie et al 2016. The sustained effect (12 months) of a single-dose vectored thermal pulsation procedure for meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye.43 | 200 | Improved symptoms Improved meibomian gland function |
Eyelid/discomfort/pain/dermatitis |
| TearCare | Badawi et al 2019. TearCare system extension study: evaluation of the safety, effectiveness, and durability through 12 months of a second TearCare treatment on subjects with dry eye disease.40 | 12 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| TearCare | Badawi et al 2018. A novel system, TearCare, for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.39 | 24 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| TearCare LipiFlow |
Gupta et al 2022. TearCare for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Adult Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Masked Randomized Controlled Trial.41 | 135 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
Lipiflow: pain, injection TearCare: SPK, chalazion, blepharitis |
| TearCare | Karpecki et al 2020. A prospective, post-market, multicenter trial (CHEETAH) suggested TearCare system as a safe and effective blink-assisted eyelid device for the treatment of dry eye disease.42 | 29 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| LipiFlow | Godin et al 2018. Outcomes of Thermal Pulsation Treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome in Patients with Sjogren Disease.55 | 13 | Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
Not reported |
| LipiFlow | Hagen et al 2018. Comparison of a single-dose vectored thermal pulsation procedure with a 3-month course of daily oral doxycycline for moderate to severe meibomian gland dysfunction.47 | 28 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| LipiFlow | Kim et al 2017. Effect of thermal pulsation treatment on tear film parameters in dry eye disease patients.48 | 98 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability |
Not reported |
| LipiFlow | Schallhorn et al 2016. Effectiveness of an Eyelid Thermal Pulsation Procedure to Treat Recalcitrant Dry Eye Symptoms After Laser Vision Correction.51 | 57 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
No adverse events |
| LipiFlow | Satjwatcharaphong et al 2015. Clinical Outcomes Associated with Thermal Pulsation system Treatment.37 | 32 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
Not reported |
| LipiFlow | Zhao et al 2016. Evaluation of Monocular Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction with an Automated Thermodynamic System in Elderly Chinese Patients: A Contralateral eye Study.54 | 29 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
Not reported |
| LipiFlow | Finis et al 2014. Evaluation of an Automated Thermodynamic Treatment (LipiFlow) System for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Prospective, Randomized, Observer-Masked Trial.44 | 31 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
Not reported |
| LipiFlow | Greiner J. 2013. Long-term (12-month) improvement in meibomian gland function and reduced dry eye symptoms with a single thermal pulsation treatment.45 | 18 | Improved symptoms Improved meibomian gland function |
Not reported |
| LipiFlow | Friedland et al 2011. A Novel Thermodynamic Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.36 | 14 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
Physical discomfort with treatment |
| LipiFlow | Lane et al 2012. A New System, the LipiFlow, for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.49 | 139 | Improved symptoms Improved tear stability Improved meibomian gland function |
Eyelid discomfort Conjunctival injection |
Notes: aMeibomian gland function = meibum quality, expressibility, lid margins, or meibography, tear stability = invasive or non-invasive tear breakup time, symptoms = as assessed with symptom questionnaires or visual analogue scale.