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This is an important finding because it may make compliance with effective levels of therapy more attainable. Interestingly, our study did not show a statistically significant difference in those who used the Bruder Moist Heat Compress twice a day (Group 1) versus once a day (Group 2). In our study, the average increase in hours of comfortable wear time from baseline to Visit 3 (Week 4 of treatment) was 1.4☑.5 for Group 1, 2.2☓.2 for Group 2, and 1.8☒.5 for Group 3. Although warm compress therapy may seem low-tech, it remains an effective treatment to improve secretion of meibum from the meibomian glands in patients with and without MGD, as was demonstrated in our study.Įarlier research shows that the application of localized heat to the meibomian glands improves meibum secretion, which led to warm compresses having become an established and commonly prescribed treatment. There are many ways to treat MGD, but several target symptoms of malfunctioning glands rather than the root of their dysfunction. For this reason, treating MGD is essential in contact lens wearers. Indeed, MGD is a leading cause of dry eye and is known to contribute to contact lens discomfort. When this happens, contact lens surface wetting is compromised and the eye may not be adequately lubricated.īeyond these expected challenges, patients who have meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) face even greater problems because the lipid layer is already unstable. In addition, a contact lens-disrupted tear film tends to exhibit an increased rate of evaporation. Reasons to try moist heat No matter how healthy an eye is, contact lens wear disrupts the tear film because when the lens is placed on the eye, it splits the tear film in two: a pre- and post-lens tear film. Related: Using warm compresses to treat meibomian gland disease Clinical assessments included tear film break-up time, lipid layer thickness, and meibomian gland evaluation. To help ensure compliance and daily data collection, subject diaries were kept. Subjects were previously diagnosed with CLDE using the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire long form (CLDEQ).
During the four-week, single-center, open-label trial, 51 subjects were randomized to one of three treatment groups: application of a Bruder Compress twice per day (Group 1), application of a Bruder Compress once per day (Group 2), or warm washcloth application twice per day (Group 3). Study design The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of moist heat compress treatment on contact lens discomfort in subjects with contact lens-related dry eye (CLDE). Related: 5 tips to keep presbyopes in contact lenses The report was recently published in Contact Lens and Anterior Eye and is summarized here. With these goals in mind, a team of researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry, conducted a study on the effects of moist heat eye compress therapy, specifically on contact lens wearers. This has enabled investigators to measure the effectiveness of treatment and improve care. Over the years, understanding of the physiological mechanisms that create this problem has expanded. aged 18 or older wear contact lenses, the magnitude of contact lens discomfort becomes quite clear. When considering that an estimated 40.9 million people in the U.S. This is especially important in contact lens wearers, who may be experiencing dry eye, becauese it may reduce the contact lens dropout rate and improve patient quality of life while wearing lenses by increasing comfortable wear time.ĭespite advances in contact lens designs and materials, discomfort remains the top reason for discontinuation of lens wear, with dropout rates estimated at 15.9 percent in the U.S. The therapeutic goal of adjunctive warm compress use is to heat the eyelids to help soften and partially melt any remaining material obstructing the glands.
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