Prospective Evaluation Of Redtouch Laser In The Treatment Of Dry Eye Disease Secondary To Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

To validate the efficacy and safety of RedTouch laser, a new 675 nm laser system in treating dry eye disease (DED) secondary to Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Department of Ophthalmology. Dexeus University Hospital. University of Barcelona. Barcelona, Spain. 

75 patients with mild and moderate DED-MGD were studied with laser applied in 4 sessions separated by 3 weeks: before treatment, T0, and at the end, T1, after 2 months from the last session. Patients were divided into 2 groups (G1 and G2) of 35 patients each. In G1, the eyelids and periocular area were treated with a 675 nm laser and G2, with the same treatment as in G1 but combined with a free pencil-shaped handpiece on the tarsal conjunctiva of the upper and lower eyelids as well as on the lid-margin of both eyelids. 

The results showed significant improvement in all symptoms and signs evaluated, OSDI, CFS, NITMH, NITBUT, Osmolarity and Schirmer test1, both in G1 and G2 but with better results in G2 (G1 vs G2 p < 0.001), when adding laser treatment in the tarsal conjunctiva and lid-margin. Regarding the signs of the Meibomian glands and the lid-margin, there is also a significant improvement in the 2 groups but more important in G2 (G1 vs G2, p < 0.001). The blinking analysis also showed improvement in both groups, and again, when comparing G1 vs G2, G2 was better (p < 0.001).

RedTouch laser is a safe and effective treatment in patients with DED due to MGD, improving signs and symptoms. The results are better in the group that received the laser treatment on the skin of the eyelids and periocular area, with the application of laser directly on the lid-margin of the eyelids and the tarsal conjunctiva of both eyelids. No complications were observed.