Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42667448›Full record

Observational studyInternational ophthalmology2026

Home-based low-level light therapy using a commercial LED mask for dry eye disease.

Luca Scuderi, Serena Fragiotta, Chiara Ciancimino, Gianluca Scuderi

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in International ophthalmology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Luca ScuderiDepartment of Sense Organs, University of Rome Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4725-6778
Serena FragiottaOphthalmology Unit, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS) Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189, Rome, Italy. serena.fragiotta@uniroma1.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6214-6270
Chiara CianciminoOphthalmology Unit, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS) Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6600-0917
Gianluca ScuderiOphthalmology Unit, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS) Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0744-0722

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeLight-based therapies, including low-level light therapy (LLLT), have recently emerged as promising non-invasive approaches for dry eye disease (DED). This study evaluates the impact of a consumer-grade home-based LED Beauty Mask on DED parameters.

methodsThis retrospective observational cohort study included 20 postmenopausal women (20 eyes) diagnosed with moderate DED and MGD who underwent cosmetic treatment using the LED Beauty Mask Koled®. The device was used for 20-min sessions on alternate days over a 3-week period. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline, 3 weeks (T1), and 2 weeks (T2) after the last treatment and included tear osmolarity, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, corneal fluorescein staining, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).

resultsTear osmolarity demonstrated a significant improvement over time (P < 0.001), with the most pronounced change observed at T1. Tear film stability, assessed by TBUT, also improved significantly (P = 0.001). Subjective symptoms measured by OSDI showed a significant and sustained reduction (P < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in Schirmer I test values (P = 0.29). Corneal fluorescein staining present at baseline resolved by the final follow-up. Four eyes (20%) exhibited osmolarity values below the measurable range after treatment. No discomfort or adverse events were reported.

conclusionsThis study suggests that a cosmetic LED mask may provide symptomatic and functional improvement in DED when repurposed for ocular use. Although preliminary and limited by sample size, these findings support further investigation through controlled clinical trials.

Indexed as

Dry Eye SyndromesLow-Level Light TherapyTearsAgedFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMiddle AgedOsmolar ConcentrationRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeBreakup time (TBUT)Dry eye syndromeLow-level light therapy (LLLT)Schirmer’s testTear osmolarity

Identifiers

PMID42667448
PMCPMC13526077

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.