Please select the arm or intervention descriptions that belong to the clinical trial below.
Title: Eyelid Warming Technology for Relief of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in an Asian Population
Brief Summary: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), an extremely common clinical condition (seen in more than half of some Asian populations), affects the lipid producing meibomian glands in the eyelids. One function of the glandular secretions is to reduce evaporation of the tear film. In MGD the meibomian glands may become blocked for various reasons. The consequential retention and stasis of the secretion increases immune response as well as scarring response. This eventually results in an abnormal tear film and dry eye symptoms.

The current standard treatments include warm moist compresses, regular lid hygiene, oral antibiotics, topical antibiotic ointments and Omega 3 supplementation. Heating for an extended duration is important because it relieves the occlusion of blocked meibomian glands. However, improvised methods of heating are cumbersome and inefficient requiring repeated measures, often leading to lack of compliance. Today, there is a wider range of commercially available devices that help to unblock meibomian glands and relief dry eye symptoms. These devices may improve MGD treatment dramatically, but have not been tested in the warm climate of Singapore, and are not readily available.

The current study aims to test the efficacy of treatment for devices that utilize A) warm moisture (Blephasteam) and B) warmth (EyeGiene) in patients suffering from meibomian gland dysfunction. Patients will be asked to use Blephasteam and EyeGiene for a period of 4 weeks. The study will monitor patients for changes in tear film and lipid composition, as well as changes in the anatomy of meibomian glands. Additionally, dry eye symptoms will be documented in form of questionnaires. If the newer methods of managing MGD are found to be efficacious and safe, these treatment measures can be made available to patients in Singapore.


Options:
A: Arm Label: TearCare; Type: EXPERIMENTAL; Interventions: Device: TearCare | Arm Label: LipiFlow; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Device: LipiFlow | Intervention Type: DEVICE; Name: TearCare; Assigned to Arm(s): TearCare | Intervention Type: DEVICE; Name: LipiFlow; Assigned to Arm(s): LipiFlow
B: Arm Label: iLux; Type: EXPERIMENTAL; Interventions: Device: Systane iLux® Dry Eye System | Arm Label: LipiFlow; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Device: LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System | Intervention Type: DEVICE; Name: Systane iLux® Dry Eye System; Assigned to Arm(s): iLux | Intervention Type: DEVICE; Name: LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System; Assigned to Arm(s): LipiFlow
C: Arm Label: EyeGiene; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Device: EyeGiene | Arm Label: Blephasteam; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Device: Blephasteam | Arm Label: Control- Hot Compress; Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Device: Hot compresses | Intervention Type: DEVICE; Name: Blephasteam; Assigned to Arm(s): Blephasteam | Intervention Type: DEVICE; Name: EyeGiene; Assigned to Arm(s): EyeGiene | Intervention Type: DEVICE; Name: Hot compresses; Assigned to Arm(s): Control- Hot Compress
D: Arm Label: Standard Lid Hygiene Regime; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Behavioral: Lid hygiene regime | Arm Label: Lipiflow; Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR; Interventions: Device: Lipiflow | Intervention Type: DEVICE; Name: Lipiflow; Assigned to Arm(s): Lipiflow | Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL; Name: Lid hygiene regime; Assigned to Arm(s): Standard Lid Hygiene Regime

Answer: C