Efficacy of transcutaneous periorbital electrical stimulation using quantum molecular resonance (QMR) in keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Purpose. Transcutaneous periorbital electrical stimulation is a patented electrophysical method (QMR) for treating both the hyposecretory and hyperevaporative components of sicca syndrome, which is used as part of the Rexon-Eye procedure. The aim of the study is to determine the efficacy of this method in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Material and Methods. As part of a randomized, double-blind, prospective observational study, 56 patients (112 eyes) were examined. 29 patients were treated with the Rexon Eye Procedure. 27 patients belonged to the placebo group and therefore only received a sham treatment. Subjective symptoms (OSDI questionnaire) and objective parameters relating to the lacrimal gland, eyelids and ocular surface and the number of drops/drop frequency were recorded. The treatment interval was 4 applications, once a week. The follow ups were carried out one week and 3 and 6 months after the last treatment.

Results. OSDI-Score: There was a significant improvement in all follow-up checks during treatment as well as in the placebo group. The OSDI score reduced from 54 initially to 40 points in the treatment group after 3 months (p = 0.001) and from 50 to 41 points in the placebo group (p = 0.03). The number of artificial tears used as well as their drop frequency was significantly reduced in both groups after 3 months of follow-up. The number of tear substitutes used decreased by −0.44 ± 0.89 (p = 0.017) in the treatment group and by −0.48 ± 0.95 (p = 0.009) in the placebo group after 3 months. The drop frequency also decreased significantly after 3 months, in the treatment group by −1.5 ± 3.65 (p = 0.006) and in the placebo group by −1.3 ± 2.3 (p = 0.013). A significant increase in BUT of 1.3 ± 2.6 (p = 0.02) was found in the treatment group after 3 months – but not in the placebo group. Signs of blepharitis appeared significantly lower in the treatment group initially or after 7 days with a reduction of 0.5 ± 0.71 (p = 0.05), but without persistence after 3 months. Conjunctival hyperemia showed a significant reduction in the placebo group after 3 months with a reduction of 0.38 ± 0.77 (p = 0.007), but not in the treated subjects.

Lipcof, Schirmer-II-Test, Oxford-Grading-Scale as well as the Meibomian gland dysfunction showed no significant differences in either group. Similarly, the comparison of both groups showed no significant difference between the two subject groups for any of the parameters over the entire follow-up.

Conclusion. The Rexon Eye Procedure is a procedure with a tendency to reduce sicca symptoms. A general recommendation for its use cannot be made based on the study results, although individual patients benefited from the treatment.