Warm compresses vs. High-Tech eye gadgets: which best treats dry eye?

NCT ID NCT05577910

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested three treatments for meibomian gland dysfunction, a common cause of dry eye. 374 adults with mild-to-moderate dry eye were randomly assigned to receive either vectored thermal pulsation (a device that heats and massages the eyelids), intense pulsed light therapy combined with gland expression, or standard warm compresses. The goal was to see which treatment improves tear film stability and symptoms over 15 months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Vectored thermal pulsation (LipiFlow), intense pulsed light (Lumenis M22) with meibomian gland expression, and eyelid warm compress therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could identify which of these treatments works best for dry eye caused by blocked eyelid glands, potentially improving comfort and eye health.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but results may not apply to everyone with dry eye. The treatments are compared to warm compresses, not a placebo, so differences may be small.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

dry eye syndrome Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Hong Kong Eye Hospital

Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Prince of Wales Hospital

Shatin, 000000, Hong Kong
The CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC)

Shatin, 000 000, Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Eye Centre (CUHKEC)

Kowloon, 000000, Hong Kong

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