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Effect of Moisture Chamber Spectacles on Tear Functions in Dry Eye Disease
Guanglin Shen1, Qiaoran Qi, Xiaoping Ma
1*BMed †MD Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (all authors).
Purpose:
To evaluate the effect of moisture chamber spectacles (MCS) on tear functions in dry eye subjects.
Methods:
In this short-term study, 30 subjects with dry eye were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. Fifteen subjects (MCS group) were instructed to wear the appropriately sized MCS for a total of 90 min. Another 15 subjects (control group) received a drop of sterile nonpreserved 0.9% sodium chloride solution immediately after baseline measurement. Ocular comfort, tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT), tear film lipid layer, and conjunctival hyperemia were evaluated in both groups at 15-min intervals for a period of 90 min (baseline and 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min).
Results:
There were significant improvements in ocular comfort, TMH, NIBUT, and lipid layer in the MCS group compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05). After wearing MCS, values of ocular comfort, TMH, NIBUT, and lipid layer continuously increased across time and reached the maximum at 60 min and then slowly decreased but still remained higher (p < 0.05) than baseline values. No significant differences were observed in conjunctival hyperemia in either group or between groups across time (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Wearing MCS provided improvement in ocular comfort and tear film stability. Moisture chamber spectacles seem to be a safe and promising alternative treatment for dry eye, especially for patients who work in adverse environmental conditions.
Insights
Moisture chamber spectacles (MCS) significantly improved ocular comfort and tear film stability in dry eye patients. This suggests MCS is a safe and effective treatment option, particularly for those in harsh environments.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dry Eye Disease Research
Background:
- Dry eye disease affects ocular comfort and tear film stability.
- Environmental factors can exacerbate dry eye symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of moisture chamber spectacles (MCS) in improving tear functions for individuals with dry eye.
- To assess the impact of MCS on ocular comfort and tear film parameters.
Main Methods:
- A short-term study involving 30 dry eye subjects randomly assigned to an MCS group or a control group.
- The MCS group wore spectacles for 90 minutes, while the control group received saline drops.
- Ocular comfort, tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT), lipid layer, and hyperemia were measured at intervals.
Main Results:
- The MCS group showed significant improvements in ocular comfort, TMH, NIBUT, and lipid layer compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
- Improvements in these parameters peaked at 60 minutes and remained elevated above baseline throughout the 90-minute period.
- No significant changes in conjunctival hyperemia were observed in either group.
Conclusions:
- Moisture chamber spectacles (MCS) enhance ocular comfort and tear film stability in dry eye patients.
- MCS presents a safe and promising therapeutic alternative for dry eye management.
- Particularly beneficial for patients exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
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