Abstract
Purpose:
To determine the effect of lid-debridement scaling (LBS) on dry eye signs and symptoms in individuals with Sjogren’s Syndrome (SS).
Methods:
This prospective randomized controlled study enrolled 14 female participants with SS. Diagnosis for SS was confirmed as per The American College of Rheumatology. Seven individuals were randomly selected for LBS and the rest served as controls. LBS was conducted using a stainless steel golf spud (Hilco Wilson Ophthalmics, Plainville, MA) on both the lower and upper lid margins of both eyes. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), ocular staining score (as per Sjogren’s International Collaborative Clinical Alliance), fluorescein tear break-up time (FLBUT), meibomian gland score (using the Meibomian Gland Evaluator on the central 5 glands, MGS), and meibomian gland yielding liquid secretions score (MGYLS) were assessed prior to LBS, and one month after LBS.
Results:
Thirteen participants completed the study. Data from the right eye only was analyzed.<br /> For the control group (n=6, mean age=62.3±11.6), the pre LBS, post LBS, and significance level (pre mean±SD vs post mean±SD; p-value) were: OSDI (58.3±22.1 vs 48.3±29.0; p>0.05), ocular staining (7.0±4.5 vs 8.2±3.5; p=0.16), MGS (1.3±1.5 vs 1.0±0.9; p=0.75), MGYLS (0.3±0.5 vs 0.0±0.0; p=0.50), FLBUT (2.99 ±1.54 vs 2.85±1.79; p=0.63).<br /> For the treatment group (n=7, mean age=58.0±8.1), the pre LBS, post LBS, and significance level were: OSDI (63.2±13.3 vs 46.9±19.4; p=0.04), ocular staining (6.5±2.9 vs 5.0±3.9; p=0.02), MGS (1.0±1.2 vs 3.1±1.7; p=0.01), MGYLS (0.0±0.0 vs 0.6±1.0; p=0.50), FLBUT (3.13±0.81 vs 3.45±1.03; p=0.53).
Conclusions:
In this pilot study, the group that received LBS showed statistically significant improvements in OSDI, along with ocular staining and meibomian gland function. This study indicates that LBS may help in the management of SS dry eye.