AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effect of a new warm moist air device assisted with eyelid massage in the treatment of office dry eye(ODE).

METHODS: Sixty ODE patients were recruited, and these patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group received artificial tear treatment, and the other group received a new eyelid warm moist air device combined with eyelid massage treatment. Subjects completed the ocular surface disease index(OSDI), which was followed by fluorescein tear breakup time(BUT), corneal fluorescein staining(CFS), Schirmer I test(SⅠt)and meibomian gland secretion function evaluation at baseline, and 2 and 4wk after treatment.

RESULTS: In these 60 patients, 48 patients(23 in artificial tear treated group and 25 in the new warm moist air device assisted with eyelid massage treated group)were positive for meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD). Compared to artificial tear treatment, the new warm moist air device assisted with eyelid massage treatment showed favorable therapeutic effect on OSDI(F_Group=41.63, P<0.01), BUT(F_Group=60.47,P<0.01)and the grade of meibum quality(F_Group=12.12,P<0.01)during 4wk treatment in this study. No significant difference was found in SIT(F_Group=0.17, P>0.05), CFS(F_Group=1.79, P>0.05)and meibomian gland expressibility(F_Group=0.68, P>0.05)between the two groups during 4wk treatment.

CONCLUSION: This new eyelid warm moist air device assisted with eyelid massage has favorable therapeutic effect over artificial tear in ODE treatment.