The technology features an interferometer that measure the thickness of the lipid layer and evaluates the ocular surface via digital images. It is helpful to both patients and physicians when low readings are measured and documented in patients wiht non-obvious MGD. The thermal pulsation system applies controlled warmth (up to 42.5 degrees celcius) to the inner eyelid surface with intermittent pressure to the outer surface for 12 minutes. The procedure is relatively painless, with patients able to return to work immediately after the treatment. Patients may have mild ocular injection for 1 to 2 hours immediately following the procedure. It is important to note that the activators applied to the lids come in one size only, and placement may be uncomfortable for patients with small palpebral fissures.
The system demonstrated significant improvement in meibomian gland secretion at 2 and 4 weeks in a non-significant risk, prospective, open-label, randomized, crossover, multicenter clinical trial. The same study also documented a greater reduction in dry eye symptoms compared with a warm compress system (iHeat, Advanced Vision Research), with no significant adverse events. Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness scores at 3 years. Tear break-up times and the Ocular Surface Disease Index were no longer significantly increased at the 3- year time point.