Meibography and tear function alterations in premature ovarian failure

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Science

Background:

• Premature ovarian failure (POF) affects ovarian function before age 40.
• POF can be associated with various factors including genetic, autoimmune, and hormonal imbalances.
• Dry eye symptoms and early menopause findings may occur in POF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare tear film alterations and meibomian gland status in POF patients versus healthy controls.
• To investigate the ocular surface health in women diagnosed with POF.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated 90 POF patients and 60 controls.
• Assessed ocular surface disease index (OSDI), corneal/conjunctival involvement (Oxford score), tear film tests (Schirmer, noninvasive tear break-up time - NIBUT).
• Analyzed meibomian gland dropout, distortion, and shortening using noncontact meibography.

Main Results:

• POF patients had significantly higher OSDI scores and Oxford scores.
• NIBUT was significantly lower in POF patients.
• Meibomian glands showed significant distortion in POF patients, though dropout and shortening were similar.

Conclusions:

• Ocular surface damage and dry eye are more prevalent in POF patients.
• Hormonal insufficiency in POF may disrupt tear film, ocular surface homeostasis, and meibomian gland structure.
• Early-onset meibomian gland distortion is a potential consequence of hormonal changes in POF.