Quantum molecular resonance electrotherapy (Rexon-Eye) for recalcitrant dry eye in an Asian population

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the safety, efficacy, patients’ satisfaction and acceptability of Rexon-Eye electrotherapy in treating Asian severe dry eye disease (DED) patients.MethodsProspective parallel-arm pilot study recruiting 40 DED Chinese patients with >moderate recalcitrant DED (Contact Lens Research Unit [CCLRU] > grade 2). Subjects were randomized into 2 groups, undergoing four weekly treatment sessions each: group 1 received full treatment power; group 2 received control treatment (power 1 treatment). Non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), cornea fluorescein staining graded via CCLRU and Schirmer’s I test were compared pre- and 2 months post-treatment. The SPEED and QUEST questionnaires that evaluated subjective symptoms and treatment satisfaction, respectively, at baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment were carried out. Tear cytokine levels in both groups were examined at 2 weeks post-treatment.ResultsThe amount of improvement in post-treatment corneal staining in the inferior corneal zone was significant in Group 1 (p = 0.038) but not in Group 2 (p = 0.832). Group 1 eyes with worse baseline staining (total score >9.8) had a significantly greater reduction of corneal staining than those with better baseline staining (−11.7 ± 1.98 vs. −4.6 ± 2.89, p < 0.001). There were no other significant differences in NIBUT, Schirmer’s 1 and cornea fluorescein staining grading within or between the groups.: Group 1 (n = 24) had improved subjective dryness scores compared to Group 2 (n = 16) (SPEED score: 6.38 + 4.16 vs. 10.0 + 6.36, p = 0.04). No significant differences were seen in 11 tear cytokine levels at 2 weeks post-treatment between the 2 groups.ConclusionIn Asian DED patients treated with Rexon-Eye, inferior cornea staining showed significant improvement compared to placebo, and eyes with greater cornea staining at baseline achieved a greater improvement in staining. There were no other significant improvements in NIBUT and Schirmer’s 1. Rexon-Eye also improved subjective DED scores in 41.7% of eyes without any adverse effects.

Efficacy and Safety of Quantum Molecular Resonance Electrotherapy in Patients with Aqueous-Deficient, Evaporative and Mixed-Type Dry Eye: A Randomized Interventional Study

“…In this study, the absence of reported AEs after QMR treatment aligns with the findings from other studies conducted by Ferrari et al [ 30 ], Trivli et al [ 32 ], Kavroulaki et al [ 31 ], and Foo et al [ 33 ]. This consistent pattern of safety across multiple studies underscores the robustness of QMR as a safe therapeutic option for DED.…”

“…Several studies have evaluated the effects of QMR treatment on DED symptoms and signs [ 29 – 33 ]. Pedrotti et al [ 29 ] reported that 12 sessions of QMR treatment significantly improved OSDI questionnaire, TBUT, CFS, and ST after 1 year of follow-up in patients with ADDE.…”

“…A total sample size of 62 patients was estimated using the GRANMO calculator, version 7.12 (Municipal Institute of Medical Research, Barcelona, Spain). Estimation was based on a statistically significant paired difference at 95% confidence and with 80% power of 6.45 ± 0.77 s in NIBUT based on previous studies [ 31 – 33 ].…”

“…Therefore, novel treatments that target the specific mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of DED have emerged, such as microblepharoexfoliation (MBE) [ 25 ], vectoral thermal pulsation (VTP) [ 26 ], intense pulse light (IPL) [ 27 ], and low-level light therapy (LLLT) [ 28 ]. Recently, Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) has been proposed as a novel therapy for DED, demonstrating promising results [ 29 – 33 ]. QMR involves passing an electric current at a low intensity and high frequency (4–64 MHz) through contact electrodes [ 30 , 32 ].…”

“…QMR involves passing an electric current at a low intensity and high frequency (4–64 MHz) through contact electrodes [ 30 , 32 ]. Previous studies have demonstrated the wound healing properties and anti-inflammatory effects of QMR on the ocular surface [ 29 – 33 ]. However, most of these studies evaluated only patients with mild to moderate DED with a short-term follow-up period [ 29 – 32 ].…”