Abstract
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to compare a symptom questionnaire, Meibomian gland dysfunction according to the Efron grading scale, and non-contact meibography with each other.
Methods:
The study included 31 participants. The examination consisted of three different parts. Each patient was asked to complete the symptom questionnaire, the Texas Eye Research & Technology Center - Dry Eye Questionnaire (TERTC-DEQ). To be included in the study the participant needed a score between 0-17. The second part was grading, using the Efron grading scale. Conjunctival redness, blepharitis and MGD was graded. Participants with blepharitis more than grade 2 were excluded from the study. The last part was non-contact meibography. Pictures were acquired of both the upper and the lower eyelids in both eyes. The pictures were then analyzed using the software Phoenix to calculate the area of Meibomian gland loss.
Results:
To analyze whether there was any significant correlation between symptoms and any of the other parameters, multiple regression analyses were performed. No significant correlation (p>0.05; r<0.6) was found. Multiple regression analyses were also performed to analyze the correlation between the stage of MGD according to Efron grading scale and the Meibomian gland loss obtained by non-contact meibography. The upper and the lower eyelids of both eyes were analyzed. A significant correlation (p<0.002) was found between the stage of MGD and the area of loss for the lower eyelid of the right eye. Between the other parameters no significant correlation was found. T-tests were performed between all the parameters for both the right and the left eye. The results showed no significant difference, meaning that the right eye can be assumed to be equal to the left eye.
Conclusions:
The study shows that there is no significant correlation between symptoms and MGD according to the Efron grading scale and non-contact meibography. The results show a significant correlation between the right eye’s lower eyelid MGD score and area of Meibomian gland loss on the same eyelid.