title: Effectiveness of Intraductal Meibomian Gland Probing for Obstructive Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of intraductal meibomian gland probing using modified Maskin cannulas in patients with obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study prospectively included 58 eyes of 30 patients with a diagnosis of meibomian gland dysfunction who were refractory to medical treatment for at least 6 months. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the number of probing procedures applied. During probing, sterile modified Maskin probes 2, 2.5, 4, and 6 mm in length were used. A tarsal massage was recommended after medical treatment. Preoperatively, then postoperatively at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, the Schirmer 1 test was performed, tear break-up time was measured, and images of the anterior segment were recorded. In addition, the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire was completed at baseline and at 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all groups, there were no statistically significant differences between Schirmer 1 test results at preoperative and postoperative 3 months, but tear break-up time values measured at baseline and at 3 months differed significantly (5 seconds, 13 seconds, P < 0.001). In the analyses of anterior segment photographs of all patients, statistically significant postprocedural decreases in conjunctival hyperemia (P < 0.0001) and eyelid margin vascularization (P = 0.004) were detected, and the later Ocular Surface Disease Index scores showed a significant improvement between preop and 3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A procedure using modified Maskin probes was effective and reliable in the short term for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Izzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital, Bolu, Turkey; †Department of Ophthalmology, Sakarya Yenikent State Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey; ‡Department of Ophthalmology, Kocaeli University Medical Faculty, Kocaeli, Turkey; and §Department of Engine, Kocaeli University Faculty of Technical Education, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zuleyha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sik Sarman
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cucen
authors.forename: Nursen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Abdulkadir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cengiz
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Caglar
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D010808:Physical Examination; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome