Recruiting

Low-Level Light Therapy's Thermal Effect on Diverse Skin Types

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What is being tested

Three 15-minute low-level light therapy sessions using Light Emitting Diodes of wavelength 633nm (Essilor epi-c plus).

Device
Who is being recruted

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction+2

+ Eye Diseases

+ Eyelid Diseases

Over 18 Years
+13 Eligibility Criteria
See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Interventional
Study Start: June 2025
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorUniversity of Houston
Study ContactEric Ritchey, OD, PhDMore contacts
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: June 11, 2025

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

This study aims to explore whether low-level light therapy (LLLT) affects skin temperature differently in individuals with varying skin tones. It focuses on comparing the effects on people with lighter skin (types I-IV) to those with darker skin (types V-VI) using a specific light therapy device called the Epi-C-Plus. Understanding these differences is important because it can help improve the safety and effectiveness of treatments for different skin types, potentially enhancing skincare options and outcomes for a diverse range of individuals. Participants in the study will undergo low-level light therapy using the Epi-C-Plus device, which emits light at a wavelength of 633nm. The main aspect being measured is the change in skin temperature after the therapy. This study does not specify any particular risks or benefits for participants, as it primarily focuses on observing and comparing thermal effects across different skin tones. The findings could lead to tailored treatment plans that consider individual skin characteristics.

Official TitleLow Level Light Therapy & Skin Pigmentation
NCT07173530
Principal SponsorUniversity of Houston
Study ContactEric Ritchey, OD, PhDMore contacts
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
Design Details

40 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Treatment Study

These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Conditions
Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

Over 18 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers not allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Conditions

Pathology

Meibomian Gland DysfunctionEye DiseasesEyelid DiseasesLacrimal Apparatus DiseasesDry Eye Syndromes

Criteria

3 inclusion criteria required to participate
Ability to read and understand the study informed consent in English
Age 18 years or older at enrollment
Individuals with MGD based on one or more of the following clinical signs/symptoms, e.g., meibum quality score of 1-3 (Bron et al.), meibography score of 1, 2, or 3 on the Pult Meiboscale, non-invasive 1st tear break up time of 10 seconds or less, or an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score greater than 12 points.
10 exclusion criteria prevent from participating
History of corneal ectasia (e.g. keratoconus, Pellucid marginal degeneration)
Active anterior segment pathology (e.g., bacterial conjunctivitis, microbial keratitis)
History of systemic disease associated with aqueous-deficient dry eye disease (e.g., Sjogren's syndrome)
History of corneal surgery, refractive surgery, or eyelid surgery within 6 months
Show More Criteria

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.
Treatment Groups
Study Objectives

2 intervention groups are designated in this study

This study does not include a placebo group 

Treatment Groups

Group I

Experimental
Individuals with skin tones I-IV on the Fitzpatrick scale will receive low-level light therapy

Group II

Experimental
Individuals with skin tones V-Vi on the Fitzpatrick scale will receive low-level light therapy

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Secondary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 1 location

Recruiting

The University of Houston College of Optometry

Houston, United StatesOpen The University of Houston College of Optometry in Google Maps
Recruiting
One Study Center