Characterization of Dry Eye and Meibominan Gland Dysfunciton in distinct related conditions

Abstract

Purpose : Dry Eye (DE) and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) are chronic and quite prevalent ocular conditions associated to many systemic diseases. This study aims to broaden the understanding of the clinical presentation and correlations of ocular surface parameters in several conditions such as diabetes, contact lens wear, rosacea, glaucoma toxicity, eating disorders, ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and blepharoplasty through a detailed investigation that include subjective and objective evaluation of the ocular surface and meibography.

Methods : Two hundred and forty eight participants were included in this ongoing cross-sectional study and compared to 57 controls. Evaluation consisted in: ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, a non-invasive objective assessment of the ocular surface and photographic documentation (Keratograph 5M) which included tear meniscus height, non invasive tear film breakup time and conjunctival redness, and meibography; ocular surface staining with fluorescein and lissamine green and Schirmer test.

Results : Among main findings we found that: 61 contact lens wearers (16.50±3,8 years old, 19 male/20 female) presented mild symptoms and ocular surface findings; 51 ocular GHVD (45.76±11.2 years old, 25 male/ 26 female) had important ocular surface damage no correlated with symptoms. 39 glaucoma patients under preserved topic drugs treatment (68.88±9.9 years old, 19 male/20 female) presented the highest scores of symptoms, ocular surface damage and inflammation compare4d to other conditions. 38 rosacea patients (44.34±10.9 years old, 5 male/ 32 female) presented mixed dry eye – tear film instability associated with aqueous deficiency – and mild symptoms. In diabetes group, 37 patients were evaluated (61.47±8.9 years old, 21 male/16 female) and presented mild symptoms and tear film instability. Twelve patients post blepharoplasty surgery (63.09±11.33years old, 3 male/ 9 female) were included and presented mild symptom score and tear film instability. Six young girls (16.50±3.78 years old) diagnosed with eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia nervosa) presented low symptoms score and signs of tear film instability.

Conclusions : Although considered mostly symptomatic conditions, DE and MGD represents a broad spectrum of ocular surface diseases that can be presented differently in distinct related conditions.

This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.