Espansione Group shares new data from study on patients with surgery-induced dry eye

There are limited existing data about prophylactic application of light therapy in healthy patients. Image credit: ©Studio Romantic – stock.adobe.com

A new study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology demonstrates the application of light therapy following cataract surgery. In a news release, Espansione Group announced study results from the trials conducted at University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Italy. Earlier this month, Espansione Group shared preliminary results from two cases where Light Modulation® Low-Level Light Therapy (LM®LLLT) with eye-light® was applied. The new study shows the capabilities of low-level light therapy as a key factor in optimising the ocular surface for dry eye disease (DED) profilaxis.¹

Following cataract surgery, symptoms of DED are "highly prevalent" in patient populations, which has a negative outcome on vision, quality of life and surgical satisfaction, Espansione Group said in the news release.¹ Among patients with preexisting DED, there is a precedent for optimising ocular surface prior to cataract surgery; however, there are less data about prophylactic application of light therapy in healthy patients.

In the double-blind, ramdomised controlled trial, investigators performed the LM® LLLT treatment on patients prior to and following cataract surgery. According to the news release from Espansione Group, 73 patients underwent LM® LLLT treatment, and 80 patients underwent sham treatment via custom-made sham treatment masks for minimal energy fluence.¹

According to the data, patients treated with LLLT had significantly lower OSDI scores compared with controls at T1 and T2 (respectively, 7.2±8.8 vs 14.8±13.0 and 9.0±9.0 vs 18.2±17.9; both P<0.001). Patients treated with LLLT treatment were also reported to have higher NIBUT values at T2 (12.5±6.6 vs 9.0±7.8; P=0.007) and lower MGL Meiboscore values at T1 (1.59±0.70 vs 1.26±0.69; P=0.008).

Researchers also noted, “Patients’ postoperative decline of ocular surface parameters and the consequent occurrence of iatrogenic DED treated with LLLT had significantly lower OSDI scores and higher NIBUT values at T2 compared with T0 (respectively, 9.0±9.0 vs 21.2±16.1; p<0.001 and 12.5±6.6 vs 9.7±7.2; p=0.007).” Lead investigator Prof Giuseppe Giannaccare (formerly at University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, now full professor at University of Cagliari) commented on the study results. Prof Giannaccare said LLLT treatment targets DED at the root of the cellular dysregulation.

“Prophylactic treatment using low-level light therapy could be easily incorporated in the workflow of otherwise healthy patients undergoing senile cataract surgery in order to avoid iatrogenic DED,” he recommended.

Matteo Corbellino, chief marketing and innovation officer at Espansione Group, said LM® LLLT has the potential to improve outcomes in various surgical procedures. “We eagerly anticipate the innovative research this study will inspire among scholars globally,” he said.

Reference

1. Elevating Cataract & Refractive Surgery: New Double-blinded Study Published on the British Journal of Ophthalmology Proves LM® LLLT as Key Factor in Surgery-induced Dry Eye Profilaxis. Espansione Group. 31 October, 2023. https://espansionegroup.it/newsroom/elevating-cataract-refractive-surgery/