Johnson & Johnson use studies to promote dry eye treatment

The studies, funded by J&J Vision subsidiary TearScience and published in Clinical Ophthalmology, found that LipiFlow reduced symptoms more effectively than doxycycline, and also reduced dry eye signs and symptoms for soft contact lens wearers with MGD.“Having a healthy ocular surface is the foundation for visual comfort, and an important factor for success in a variety of eye health treatments, including wearing contact lenses,” lead investigator Dr Kelly Nichols said.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: With millions of patients in need, we wanted to better understand the current treatment options available for patients with contact lens discomfort. -WHO:Dr Kelly Nichols, University of Houston}}“A key to ocular surface homeostasis is the healthy meibomian gland, as it secretes an oil that prevents evaporation of the eye’s tear film. When the meibomian gland is blocked, the result is often dry eye disease. With millions of patients in need, we wanted to better understand the current treatment options available for patients with contact lens discomfort.”In the first study, a single Lipiflow treatment reportedly improved mean meibomian gland function and reduced mean dry eye signs and symptoms for soft contact lens wearers with MGD. Participants were tracked for three months, and also reported increased comfortable lens wearing time by approximately four hours per day.The second study compared a 12-minute treatment with a three-month course of doxycycline taken orally. The researchers found LipiFlow was significantly more effective at improving dry eye symptoms associated with MGD.The single-masked study involved 28 subjects diagnosed with moderate to severe MGD and randomised into two groups.The treatment group received a single bilateral 12-minute treatment process, while the other group was provided with 100 milligram doses of doxycycline twice daily for the first 14 days and once daily for days 15–90.Lipiflow is available in nearly 1,000 optometrist and ophthalmologist clinics in the US and Canada, and has been available in Australia since 2012.