Low Level Light Therapy & Skin Pigmentation
University of Houston
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if there is a difference in eyelid temperature after low-level light therapy (LLLT) in individuals with different amounts of skin pigmentation and dry eye/meibomian gland disease. Participants will have 3 fifteen minute in office LLLT therapy sessions over a period of approximately 7 to 14 days.
Description
The primary objective of the study is to determine if there is a difference in the thermal effect of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in individuals with different skin pigmentation (Fitzpatrick skin type I-IV verses Fitzpatrick skin type V-VI) using a clinically available 633nm LLLT system, the Epi-C-Plus (Espansione group, Bologna, Italy).
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Ability to read and understand the study informed consent in English * Age 18 years or older at enrollment * Individuals with MGD based on one or more of the following clinical signs/symptoms, e.g., meibum quality score of 1-3 (Bron et al.), meibography score of 1, 2, or 3 on the Pult Meiboscale, non-invasive 1st tear break up time of 10 seconds or less, or an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score greater than 12 points. Exclusion Criteria: * Active anterior segment pathology (e.g., bacterial conjunctivitis, microbial keratitis) * History of systemic disease associ…
Interventions
- DeviceThree 15-minute low-level light therapy sessions using Light Emitting Diodes of wavelength 633nm (Essilor epi-c plus).
A mask with Light Emitting Diodes wavelength 633nm will be placed over closed eyes for 15 minutes.
Location
- The University of Houston College of OptometryHouston, Texas