COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INSTRUMENTAL AND MANUAL MEIBOMIAN GLAND STIMULATION IN PATIENTS WITH BLEPHARITIS AND DRY EYE DISEASE
Published 2026 - 30th ESCRS Winter Meeting
Reference: PO060 | Type: Presented Poster & Poster | DOI: 10.82333/3tf7-2k45
Authors: Mykola Dovbysh* 1 , Ivo Ďurkovič 2 , Dmytro Zhaboiedov 3
1Ophthalmology,iClinic plus s.r.o.,Bratislava,Slovakia, 2Ophthalmology,iClinic plus s.r.o.,Bratislava,Slovakia;Ophthalmology,iDoctor,Klagenfurt am Wörthersee,Austria, 3The Department of Ophthalmology of Bogomolets National Medical University,Bogomolets National Medical University,Kyiv,Ukraine;Ophthalmology,iClinic plus s.r.o.,Bratislava,Slovakia
Purpose
To evaluate and compare the efficacy of instrumental versus manual meibomian gland stimulation in patients with chronic blepharitis and dry eye disease (DED).
Setting
The study was conducted at iClinic s.r.o., Ophthalmology Clinic, Bratislava, Slovakia, and iDoctor, Ophthalmology Center, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria — both tertiary referral centers specializing in ocular surface, cataract, and refractive surgery. All examinations and treatments were performed under standardized clinical conditions between January 2025 and September 2025 by the same surgical and diagnostic team.
Methods
A total of 40 patients (80 eyes) diagnosed with blepharitis and evaporative dry eye were enrolled and divided into two equal groups: Group A: Instrumental meibomian gland stimulation using the REXON-EYE device (Ophthalmic, Italy). Group B: Conventional manual gland expression performed under slit-lamp control. Baseline and post-treatment evaluations included: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Schirmer’s test, Fluorescein Break-Up Time (FBUT), and meibography using the IDRA diagnostic platform, which provides non-invasive imaging and quantitative analysis of the tear film and meibomian gland structure. Each patient underwent four weekly treatment sessions, and outcomes were assessed one month after the final session.
Results
Both groups demonstrated clinical improvement; however, instrumental stimulation achieved superior results. The mean FBUT increased by +4.2 seconds in the REXON-EYE group compared to +2.1 seconds in the manual expression group. Meibography revealed a significant reduction in gland dropout and improved meibum quality in Group A. OSDI scores decreased by 42% versus 25% in the control group, indicating higher patient comfort and symptomatic relief.
Conclusion
Instrumental meibomian gland stimulation with REXON-EYE provides better functional improvement, glandular restoration, and patient satisfaction compared to traditional manual expression. The combination of advanced energy-based stimulation and diagnostic imaging (IDRA) allows for a standardized, non-invasive, and reproducible approach to managing meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis-related dry eye.