Can colored light masks soothe dry, irritated eyes?
NCT ID NCT06371300
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares red and blue light therapy masks for people with dry eye disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, and blepharitis (eyelid inflammation). Thirty-six participants will receive three light treatments, one week apart, and be followed for one month after the last session. The goal is to see if different light colors affect eyelid bacteria, tear film, and symptoms differently.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Low-level light therapy (red and blue light masks)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to ease dry eye symptoms and improve eyelid health.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early exploratory trial with only 36 people. The benefits may be small or no better than a placebo, and the results may not apply to everyone with dry eye.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 36 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals with dry eye disease symptoms (Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire (OSDI) score ≥ 13 or Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ5) score \> 6) and signs (tear film instability measured with non-invasive tear break-up time \< 10 s or ocular surface damage measured using special dyes placed on the front surface of the eyes that temporarily stains any aggravated or damaged cells: \> 5 corneal spots, \> 9 conjunctival spots or lid margin staining ≥ 2mm in length and ≥ 25% in width) * Individuals need to also have Meibomian gland dysfunction. The diagnosis of Meibomian gland dysfunction depends on how many of 5 glands in the central lower eyelid can express oil, and the quality of the oil. A diagnosis is made if there is decreased expressibility (grade 1-3 on the Pflugfelder scale) and reduced quality of oil (grade 1-3 on Bron scale). Any presence of gland blockage and/or loss of oil glands grade 1 to grade 4 of either eyelid \[Pult and Reide-Pult, 2013\]) will also justify a diagnosis of Meibomian gland dysfunction. * Individuals will also need to have ocular demodicosis, diagnosed by clinical observation on slit lamp biomicroscope based on signs including collarettes around the base of lashes, visible Demodex tails, or excessive pouting of lash follicles in those with good lid hygiene where Demodex was confirmed by secondary means such as visible Demodex tails. * Age ≥ 18 years, male or female * Able to provide written consent in English * Able to attend a total of 4 visits: 3 treatment visits and followed up for 1 month after final treatment Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Ocular light-based therapies including intense pulsed light (IPL) or LLLT treatment within the past 1 month or during study period in addition to those provided in the study * Contact lens wear in the past 2 weeks or during study period * Other active ocular surface diseases or history of ocular surgery or corneal infections the past 6 months
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Aston Dry Eye Clinic
COMPLETEDBirmingham, West Midlands, B4 7ET, United Kingdom
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University of Auckland
RECRUITINGAuckland, New Zealand
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