EVALUATION OF OCULAR SURFACE AND MEIBOMIAN GLANDS IN SCLERODERMA PATIENTS
Project no. 96 · Status: Kapanmış · 2017
Summary
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prevalance of dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) in scleroderma patients and to define the related factors. Materials&Methods: A total of 32 female patients diagnosed as scleroderma (scleroderma group) and 31 healthy female subjects (control group) were enrolled in the study. Besides routine ophthalmologic evaluation Schirmer 1 test, tear break-up time (t-BUT), tear osmolarity, ocular surface staining with fluorescein (Oxford score) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, MGD evaluation (foamy tear, telengiectasia of the eyelid, eyelid conture abnormalities, meibom plugs) and meibography were performed. The gland loss in meibography were scored from grade 1 (no Meibomian gland loss) to grade 3 (gland loss >2/3). Results: A total of 126 eyes which are 64 eyes of 32 scleroderma patients and 62 eyes of 31 healthy individuals were evaluated. All individuals - both in scleroderma and control groups - were female and the mean ages of the groups were 48.34 ± 9.73 (21-62) in the scleroderma group and 45.84 ± 4.42 (38-54) in control group (p=0.067). The mean t-BUT was shorter in scleroderma group than the control group (p<0.0005). No statistical differences were detected in terms of osmolarity, OSDI score and Schirmer 1 values in between groups (p=0.051, p=0.053, p=0.358, respectively). The prevalance of grade 1 and higher Oxford score was higher in the scleroderma group (p<0.0005). Upper meiboscores of grade 1 and higher were found to be more common in the scleroderma group than the control group (p=0.036). The presence of foamy tear and telengiectasia of the eyelids were significantly higher in the scleroderma group (p=0.002, p=0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Evaporative type dry eye is more common in scleroderma patients than the healthy population. For this reason, to keep ocular surface healthy regular follow-up of these patients and treatment when needed should not be neglected.