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Intense Pulsed Light for the Treatment of Dry Eye Owing to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

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Association Between Meibomian Gland Testing and Ocular Surface Sensitivity.

Stephanie M Cox¹, Jason J Nichols

¹University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry, Birmingham, AL.

|July 24, 2015

Summary

Palpebral conjunctival sensitivity, not corneal sensitivity, is more critical for diagnosing dry eye disease. This finding impacts how eye care professionals assess tear film and meibomian gland function.

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Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Optometry
Vision Science

Background:

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide.
Accurate diagnosis relies on assessing tear film stability and meibomian gland function.
Corneal and conjunctival sensitivity play roles in ocular surface sensation and DED symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between corneal sensitivity and clinical assessments of tear film and meibomian gland parameters.
To determine if palpebral conjunctival sensitivity is a more significant indicator in dry eye evaluations.

Main Methods:

Fifty-seven subjects with a history of contact lens wear and meibomian gland dropout were analyzed.
Clinical assessments included esthesiometry, non-invasive tear breakup time, Schirmer test, and meibomian gland evaluation.
Subjects were categorized into high (HS) and low (LS) sensitivity groups for both corneal and conjunctival sensitivity.

Main Results:

Significant differences in non-invasive tear breakup time (P=0.05) and Schirmer test results (P=0.04) were observed between palpebral conjunctival HS and LS groups.
No statistically significant associations were found between corneal sensitivity and the evaluated tear film or meibomian gland characteristics.
Corneal sensitivity thresholds were lower than conjunctival sensitivity thresholds.

Conclusions:

Palpebral conjunctival sensitivity appears to be a more critical factor than corneal sensitivity in the context of dry eye assessment.
These findings suggest a potential shift in diagnostic focus towards conjunctival sensitivity in clinical practice.
Further research may elucidate the precise mechanisms linking conjunctival sensitivity to tear film dynamics.