Efficacy of LipiFlow in Patients Affected by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Reducing Post-cataract Surgery Dry Eye

Evaluation of the Efficacy of LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation Treatment Performed Before Cataract Surgery in Patients Affected by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Reducing Postoperative Dry Eye Disease

Dry Eye Disease (DED) is a disease of the ocular surface which may be secondary to a variety of causes, including cataract surgery. DED is characterized by loss of tear film stability and dry eye symptoms, and its pathogenesis is related to corneal nerve injury, decreased goblet cells, inflammation of the ocular surface, and dysfunction of the meibomian glands (MGD). MGD is the main cause of evaporative DED and can cause irregularity of the ocular surface, affecting the accuracy of the biometric calculation. In addition, it is a risk factor for DED exacerbation after cataract surgery, that may occur in about 40% of cases. Current therapies for DED include artificial tears, warm compresses, manual squeezing of the glands, eyelid hygiene, omega-3 fatty acids, topical cyclosporine, serum tears, topical azithromycin, oral doxycycline. The above therapies in some cases can provide only transient relief, affecting the outcome of cataract surgery and the quality of life of patients. Therefore, stabilization of the ocular surface before cataract surgery is important to achieve better post-operative comfort and a better refractive result. The introduction of LipiFlow thermal pulsation treatment (LTP) represents a controlled method of squeezing the obstructed Meibomian glands by applying heat to the upper and lower eyelids and simultaneously applying pulsatile pressure to the eyelid skin surfaces. The aim of our study will be to evaluate the effect of preoperative LipiFlow therapy in patients with age-related cataracts and mild to moderate MGD in reducing postoperative DED.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men or women ≥18 years old
• Patients affected by age-related cataract <3 according to the Lens Opacities Classification System III scale (LOCS III)
• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) diagnosed using slit lamp examination, following the criteria reported in the paper Arita R. et al, Am J Ophthalmol. 2016 Sep;169:125-137.
• Fluorescein tear BUT <7 seconds

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with documented history and / or clinical signs of concomitant presence of an eye infection caused by viruses such as herpes simplex virus (HSV) or fungi in the previous 3 months.
• Patients with anterior blepharitis or Demodex
• Meibomian gland atrophy score greater than 2/3
• Subject treated with drugs that can have effects on MGD prior to inclusion in the study
• Active ocular inflammation or history of chronic eye inflammation recurrent in the previous 3 months (e.g. retinitis, macular inflammation, choroiditis, uveitis, iritis, scleritis, episcleritis, keratitis)
• Eyelid abnormalities affecting eyelid function (entropion, ectropion, neoplasia, blepharospasm, lagophthalmos, severe trichiasis, severe ptosis)
• Abnormalities of the ocular surface that compromise the integrity of the cornea (e.g.

previous chemical burn, recurrent corneal erosion, corneal epithelial defect, corneal dystrophy)

• Subjects who underwent eye surgery in the previous 3 months, including intraocular, oculo-plastic, corneal or refractive surgery
• Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, rheumatism, immune diseases and other serious systemic diseases
• Pregnant or lactating women