Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Management With ZEST Protocol

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common clinical condition seen in optometric practices that affects the quality of the tear fluid on the surface of the eye. In MGD, the Meibomian glands secrete lipids which are of poor quality and altered composition. This results in a dysfunctional tear fluid causing symptoms of ocular irritation (such as dry eyes). Patients who use contact lenses on a daily basis suffer from contact lens intolerance due to their MGD.

A study done by Korb and Blackie in 2013 demonstrated that manual debridement of the lid margin using a spatula is a viable management option for MGD and blepharitis. The investigators of this proposed study have researched the effect of debridement of lid debris (Either electronic debridement with BlephEx or manual debridement using a golf spud) in relieving signs and symptoms of blepharitis (which comprises MGD as well) in patients who do not wear contact lenses on a daily basis as well as in patients who wear contact lenses on a daily basis. The investigators obtained positive results from those studies. Signs and symptoms of MGD and Blepharitis improved in patients following lid margin debridement treatments. The ZEST protocol offers an alternate paradigm for cleaning the eyelid margins. The Zocular products contains okra-infused Zocusome micelles that gently lift and clear the oil, debris, and residue on eyelid margins Presumably, the ZEST treatment protocol will benefit patients who use contact lenses on a daily basis and suffer from symptoms of lens intolerance, since similar treatment / cleaning of lid margin debris has shown to be beneficial for these patients.

Therefore, this study will investigate if the ZEST protocol can relieve symptoms of contact lens intolerance caused by MGD.

There are no clinical studies using the ZEST protocol for the betterment of contact lens comfort in patients who have MGD. Hence, the proposed study will provide new and useful information about this treatment option for managing contact lens intolerance due to MGD. The data generated will directly benefit clinical practice and impact several millions of patients who suffer from intolerance to contact lens wear due to MGD.

Inclusion criteria

• Clinically determined presence of Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Patient Self-reported discomfort with contact lens wear
• Use of contact lenses on a daily basis

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects should not be under active medical treatment for MGD or Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margins) as this will negate the effects of the treatment offered in the proposed study.
• Subjects should not be using prescription eye drops for any reason. Subjects should not be taking any systemic Anti-inflammatory or anti-biotic medication during the course of the study as these medications can alter the effects of the treatment offered in the proposed study.
• Subjects should not have received any form of eyelid margin debridement (such as BlephEx or Manual debridement or ZEST treatment) in the sixty days prior to start of the study as the study treatment will be redundant and no benefits may be perceived by the subject.
• Subjects cannot participate in this study if they are allergic to Okra or Okra-based products (since Zocular products contain an extract from the Okra plant).