[Meibomian glands dysfunction and ocular surface in black people]

Meibomian gland dysfunction is the leading cause of evaporative-type dry eye syndrome. Our goal was to determine the epidemiological and clinical features of meibomian gland dysfunction as well as its impact on the ocular surface in elderly black patients in Cameroon.

We performed a cross-sectional analysis from January 2 through May 31, 2017 in the ophthalmology department of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, including blacks aged 50 years and older. The examination focused on the Meibomian glands, Tear film Break Up Time and Schirmer I test for qualitative and quantitative assessment of tears. The relationship between the quantitative and qualitative variables and meibomian gland dysfunction was determined by linear regression tests.

We enrolled 340 elderly black patients. The mean age was 62±9 years. The prevalence of meibomian gland dysfunction was 71.8 % and did not increase with age. The hypoproductive clinical form was the most frequent (47.9 %). The prevalence of asymptomatic Meibomian gland dysfunction was 19.7 %. Evaporative dry eye disease was the most frequent (34.7 %). Aside from advanced age, Meibomian gland dysfunction was associated with high blood pressure (P=0.020), cataract surgery (P=0.034), long-term glaucoma medication (P=0.041) and alcohol consumption (P=0.043).

Meibomian gland dysfunction is very common in elderly black patients in Cameroon.