title: [Analysis of the meibomian glands condition in dry eye patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the condition of meibomian glands in dry eye patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non interventional, observational study. 388 eyes from 194 patients which were diagnosed as dry eye during March to December 2010 were collected, 69 males (138 eyes), 125 females (250 eyes). Patients' age range 7-85 years, mean (44±18) years. Symptom score, Schirmer test Ia (SIaT), tear film break-up time (BUT) and superficial punctuated keratopathy were measured. The meibomian glands were observed using the noncontact meibography system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all subjects, symptom score 5.47±2.14, SIaT (5.58±4.22) mm, BUT (3.09±2.34) s, superficial punctuated keratopathy score 4.10±3.79. Meibo-score: 1 point, 3.09% (12 eyes); 2 points, 9.28% (36 eyes); 3 points, 20.10% (78 eyes); 4 points, 26.03% (101 eyes); 5 points, 21.91% (85 eyes); 6 points, 19.59% (76 eyes).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abnormal meibomian glands occupied a extremely high proportion of dry eye which indicate that meibomian glands disorder plays important role in dry eye. Noncontact meibography system could show accurate structure of meibomian glands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
authors.forename: Zi-qing
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Hong-qiang
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D055815:Young Adult