Focused Ultrasound Stimulation of the Anterior Ethmoidal Nerve: Design and Experimental Validation of a Noninvasive Transducer for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease in Rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent condition that significantly impacts quality of life. While neurostimulation of the anterior ethmoidal nerve (AEN) shows clinical potential, current methods are limited by invasiveness and discomfort, leading to poor patient compliance. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIPUS) has emerged as a promising noninvasive alternative, offering precise neuromodulation and high parameter tunability to optimize patient tolerance.

METHODS: This study employed an in vivo rabbit model to deliver standardized LIPUS stimulation targeting the AEN. The primary objectives were to evaluate the efficacy of LIPUS in promoting tear secretion and to assess its safety profile during the procedure.

RESULTS: The results demonstrated that LIPUS intervention significantly enhanced tear production. Furthermore, the procedure exhibited a favorable safety profile, with no significant tissue damage observed following stimulation.

CONCLUSION: This study provides the first validation of ultrasound-mediated AEN stimulation as a novel, noninvasive therapeutic strategy for DED. By establishing a rigorous nonpharmaceutical intervention model and highlighting the potential for parameter optimization, this research offers a promising new solution for dry eye treatment.