Ocular surface changes and discomfort in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the importance of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) on the ocular surface.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
A university-based referral practice.


METHODS
Patients with ocular discomfort (147 eyes) and without ocular discomfort (54 eyes) were examined. In the total 201 eyes, MGD was defined as the presence of an obstruction of the meibomian orifices (obstruction group [n = 54]) or the absence of a gland structure (gland dropout group [n = 36]), or both of these findings (combined group [n = 38]). There were not any findings of MGD in 73 eyes (non-MGD group).


METHODS
Scores that were obtained from fluorescein and rose bengal staining, the breakup time of the tear film, the rates of tear evaporation and tear production, and meibography.


RESULTS
Of the 147 eyes with ocular discomfort, 95 (64.6%) had either an obstruction of an orifice or gland dropout, or both. The combined group had higher scores for staining with fluorescein (P = .002) and rose bengal (P = .021) compared with that in the non-MGD group. The rate of tear production was increased more in the gland dropout group than in the non-MGD group (P = .002). The rate of tear evaporation was significantly increased in the gland dropout group (P = .017).


CONCLUSIONS
Meibomian gland dysfunction is a major cause of ocular surface abnormalities and ocular discomfort.
Shimazaki
J
J
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan.
Sakata
M
M
Tsubota
K
K
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012395:Rose Bengal; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012395:Rose Bengal; D019793:Fluorescein