Biomedical Research

To examine the morphological changes in the meibomian gland (MG) of eyes of Chinese cataract patients using a keratography 5M and to assess their relations with meibomian dropout, signs, and tearfilm function. A cross-sectional observation study of subjects (N=99) unmatched for sex and without a significant difference in age was performed. Testing included administration of Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, followed by Keratograph 5M measurements of the noninvasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), and the morphology of the MG (meibography). Partial or complete loss of the MG was scored for each eyelid from grade 0 (no loss of MG) through grade 3 (loss of >2/3 of the whole gland area). The average OSDI score was 27.80 ± 10.22, the average NIBUT-first was 6.34 ± 4.93 s, NIBUT-average was 8.42 ± 5.51 s, and the average TMH was 0.20 ± 0.11 mm (normal: >0.20 m). In addition, the mean MG photographic score (meiboscore) was 3.07 ± 1.39. The meiboscore demonstrated identical statistically significant Kendall’s correlations with OSDI scores (r=0.431, P=0.000) and no statistically significant correlations with NTBUT-first, NTBUT-average and TMH. The results suggest a large proportion of meibomian dropout cases in Chinese cataract patients. The meiboscore tested by Keratograph 5M and OSDI score demonstrated a statistically significant correlation. Meibography and OSDI questionnaire might be recommended as a routine test before cataract surgery.

Author(s): Jinling Ge, Lian Duan, Chaoqing Wang, Xiuhua Zheng, Lihua Wang
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