Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
Intense Pulsed Light for the Treatment of Dry Eye Owing to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Published on: April 1, 2019
Efficacy of Azithromycin Eyedrops for Individuals With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-Associated Posterior Blepharitis
1Itoh Clinic (R.A.), Saitama, Japan; Lid and Meibomian Gland Working Group (R.A., S.F.), Tokyo, Japan ; and Omiya Hamada Eye Clinic (S.F.), Saitama, Japan .
Purpose:
To examine the safety and efficacy of azithromycin eyedrops in Japanese individuals with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated posterior blepharitis.
Methods:
Individuals with MGD-associated posterior blepharitis who visited the Itoh Clinic, Saitama, Japan, were randomly assigned to receive azithromycin (1%) eyedrops (AZM group, 16 eyes of 16 patients) or preservative-free artificial tears (control group, 20 eyes of 20 patients) for 2 weeks. All subjects also applied a warming eyelid compress twice per day. Subjective symptoms (Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness [SPEED] score), lipid layer thickness (LLT) and interferometric pattern of the tear film, plugging and vascularity of the lid margin, noninvasive break-up time of the tear film (NIBUT) and fluorescein-based break-up time of the tear film (TBUT), corneal-conjunctival fluorescein staining score, tear meniscus height, meibum grade, meiboscore, tear osmolarity, and Schirmer test value were determined before and after treatment. Side effects of treatment were also recorded.
Results:
In the AZM group, SPEED score, LLT, interferometric pattern, plugging and vascularity of the lid margin, NIBUT, TBUT, meibum grade, and tear osmolarity were significantly improved after treatment compared with baseline. The SPEED score, interferometric pattern, plugging, vascularity, meibum grade, and tear osmolarity were also significantly improved after treatment in the AZM group compared with the control group. Common side effects in the AZM group were transient eye irritation and blurred vision.
Conclusion:
Azithromycin eyedrops improved eyelid inflammation, the quality and quantity of the lipid layer of the tear film, and tear film stability. Such eyedrops thus seem to be a safe and effective treatment for MGD-associated posterior blepharitis.
Insights
Azithromycin eyedrops effectively treated meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated posterior blepharitis in Japanese patients. The treatment improved eyelid inflammation and tear film quality, with only mild side effects observed.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated posterior blepharitis is a common condition affecting tear film stability.
- Current treatments aim to reduce inflammation and improve meibum quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of azithromycin eyedrops for MGD-associated posterior blepharitis in a Japanese population.
- To assess the impact of azithromycin eyedrops on ocular surface parameters and patient-reported symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving Japanese patients with MGD-associated posterior blepharitis.
- Participants received either 1% azithromycin eyedrops or preservative-free artificial tears for two weeks, alongside eyelid compresses.
- Evaluated outcomes included Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) score, tear film parameters, lid margin characteristics, and tear osmolarity.
Main Results:
- Azithromycin eyedrops significantly improved SPEED scores, lipid layer thickness, tear film interferometric patterns, lid margin plugging and vascularity, noninvasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), tear break-up time (TBUT), meibum grade, and tear osmolarity compared to baseline.
- Improvements in SPEED score, lid margin characteristics, meibum grade, and tear osmolarity were significantly greater in the azithromycin group than in the control group.
- Common side effects included transient eye irritation and blurred vision.
Conclusions:
- Azithromycin eyedrops demonstrated significant efficacy in improving eyelid inflammation and tear film quality in patients with MGD-associated posterior blepharitis.
- The treatment appears to be safe and effective for this condition, enhancing tear film stability and reducing subjective symptoms.
