Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Dry Eye Disease

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Dry Eye Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) for the patients with dry eye disease with meibomian gland dysfunction.

Methods: We enrolled 256 patients at Beijing Tongren Hospital. Patients completed questionnaires at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.OSDI score, TBUT, Schirmer I, tCFS, MGD score, and psychological status to evaluate the therapeutic effects. A difference of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age >=18 and Age <=75.
2. Clinical diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of depression, tumors, thyroid disease, diabetes, cardiac diseases.
2. History of phthalmology surgery.
3. Pregnant or lactating women.