MGD symptoms greater in patients with diabetes

HONOLULU — Meibomian gland dysfunction was found to be more severe in patients with diabetes, possibly contributing to a greater prevalence of dry eye disease in these patients, according to a poster presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting here.

Johanna Garzon, PhD, and colleagues in Colombia conducted a prospective study of 37 patients with type 2 diabetes and 36 healthy controls to assess the meibomian glands, ocular surface and tear function.

In both groups, 71% of participants presented with MGD: 76% in the diabetes group and 67% in the control group.

“The most important findings are in the 60 to 64 age group. We found greater symptoms than in any other group,” Garzon told Healio.com/OSN. “There was an inverse correlation with blood glucose, which means if blood glucose is higher, then the symptoms are worse.”

Mean ocular surface disease index questionnaire ratings were significantly higher in the group with diabetes at 22.2 points, indicating moderate dry eye, whereas in the control group the score was 16.2, indicating minimal symptoms; the difference was statistically significant (P = .016).

In the group with diabetes, major changes in lids and tear function correlated with meibomian gland inflammation and obstruction, Garzon said. – by Patricia Nale, ELS

Reference:

Garzon J. Effects of diabetes type 2 on meibomian glands, ocular surface and tear function. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting; April 28-May 3, 2018; Honolulu.

Disclosure: Garzon reports no relevant financial disclosures.