The Efficacy of Warm Compresses in the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Demodex Folliculorum Blepharitis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate and compare the effect of warm compresses on meibomian gland dysfunction and Demodex folliculorum blepharitis.

Methods: Forty-two subjects (13 males, 29 females; mean age of 56.45 years) enrolled and completed the two-month warm compress treatment study. Three warm compress therapies were compared: Warm face cloth, MGDRx EyeBag® and OPTASE^TM Moist Heat Mask. Subjects attended for four visits: baseline, two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks. Subjective symptoms, osmolarity, non-invasive tear break-up time, ocular surface staining, Schirmer I test, meibum expressibility and clarity, and eyelash manipulation and epilation to assess for the presence of Demodex folliculorum, were measured at each visit.

Results: Meibomian gland dysfunction, based on a composite score of meibum quality and expressibility, reduced significantly with the MGDRx EyeBag® and the OPTASE^TM Moist Heat Mask (p < .05). There was no significant difference in efficacy for treating meibomian gland dysfunction between the two devices (p = .29). No improvement in meibomian gland dysfunction was detected with the warm face cloth. Only the OPTASE^TM Moist Heat Mask significantly reduced the quantity of Demodex folliculorum over eight-weeks of treatment (p = .036, only baseline to week eight significant p = .008). Symptoms and ocular surface staining improved significantly in all three groups (p < .05). There was no significant change observed in osmolarity, non-invasive tear break-up time or Schirmer I test within each group (p > .05, respectively).

Conclusion: The MGDRx EyeBag® and the OPTASE^TM Moist Heat Mask exhibited superior efficacy in treating signs and symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction, compared to the use of a warm face cloth, over the eight-week period. The OPTASE^TM Moist Heat Mask demonstrated dual therapeutic abilities, treating both meibomian gland dysfunction and Demodex folliculorum blepharitis. Repeated application of heat for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction may continue to present a good home-remedy option for patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Demodex folliculorum
• Blepharitis
• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• warm compress
• treatment

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the management and staff of the National Optometry Centre, for providing use of the premises and equipment, and helping with diary management and subject recruitment.

Declaration of Interests

The materials, OPTASE^TM Moist Heat Mask and MGDRx EyeBag®, were supplied by Scope Ophthalmics Ltd., Dublin. The authors do not have any financial interest in any of the products mentioned in this study. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This research was conducted as part of a self-funded post-graduate research degree.