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The following is a summary of “BlephEx-treatment for blepharitis: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial,” published in the November 2024 issue of Ophthalmology by Siegel et al.
Blepharitis, a chronic inflammatory eyelid condition, affects many patients and often responds poorly to first-line treatments.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy of the BlephExTM device in providing long-term treatment for blepharitis by removing pathogenic biofilms from the eyelid margin.
They assessed 42 patients suffering from symptomatic blepharitis that was refractory to treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to either the BlephExTM treatment group or the sham treatment group. The Outcome measures such as the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, and Efron grading scale scores were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. A crossover design was implemented, with groups switching treatments after 4 weeks to enhance recruitment, 2 patients (1 from each group) were lost to follow-up after receiving treatment.
The results showed that the sham group experienced a significant reduction in Efron Grading Scale scores. No significant differences were found in other outcome measures between the BlephExTM and sham groups. The BlephExTM group demonstrated slightly greater reductions in OSDI and Efron grading scale scores, along with a modest improvement in TBUT, but these differences were not statistically significant. Mild discomfort was the most frequently reported side effect, occurring equally in both groups.
Investigators concluded no significant differences in outcomes were found between patients who received BlephExTM therapy and those who underwent sham treatment, and BlephExTM treatment could not be recommended for blepharitis management.
Source: bmcophthalmol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12886-024-03765-3
