Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of netilmicin/dexamethasone fixed combination in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated posterior blepharitis.
Methods :
In this observational and controlled study were enrolled 40 patients with MGD and symptoms of dry eye disease. Two groups were established: 20 patients (group 1) received netilmicin 3 mg/ml and dexamethasone 1 mg/ml eye gel two times daily, whereas in group 2 (20 patients) received vehicle two times daily for 15 days. Patients underwent at baseline, and after 15 and 45 days Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) questionnaire, Visual Analogue Rating Scale (VARS) for dry eye symptoms, Keratograph 5M (Oculus, Germany) was used to assess non-invasive tear film breakup time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), ocular redness and meibography score. Moreover, fluorescein tear-film breakup time (T-BUT), fluorescein ocular surface staining, lid margin evaluation including hyperemia, edema and meibum expressibility and quality examinations were carried out. Furthermore, intraocular pressure (IOP) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were considered as safety parameters
Results :
In group 1, at 15 and 45 days there were statistically significant changes in VARS and SANDE score (p< 0.0001) as well as lid margin parameters, T-BUT and fluorescein ocular surface staining (p< 0.0001). No significant changes in BCVA and IOP were noted at the end of the study. Comparing the two groups, a significant improvement of SANDE was observed at 15 days in group 1 as well as lid margin parameters, BUT and fluorescein ocular surface staining at 15 and 45 days (all p< 0.0001).
Conclusions :
Netilmicin/dexamethasone combination is effective and safe to treat MGD-associated posterior blepharitis improving both symptoms, and ocular surface signs.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.