Visual Performance of Individuals With and Without Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Visual Science

Background:

• Dry eye disease (DED) is linked to reduced visual function, including slower reading speeds.
• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common cause of evaporative DED, has not been extensively studied regarding its impact on visual function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and reading speed in individuals with and without MGD.
• To compare visual function across different severities of MGD.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, 22-day, multicenter study involving adults aged 40+ without uncontrolled systemic or ocular diseases.
• Participants were categorized into non-MGD, mild/moderate MGD, and severe MGD cohorts based on meibum quality, ocular symptoms, and Schirmer test results.
• Visual function assessed via BCVA and International Reading Speed Texts (IReST) at 40 cm, with analysis based on average measurements from days 1 and 22.

Main Results:

• Seventy-five participants (25 per cohort) were analyzed; mean age was 54.5 years, with 66.7% being women.
• Mean BCVA was significantly lower in the severe MGD cohort (82.7 letters) compared to the mild/moderate MGD cohort (88.3 letters; p=0.046).
• Mean IReST reading speed was significantly slower in the severe MGD cohort (146.0 words/min) compared to the mild/moderate MGD cohort (167.8 words/min; p=0.046).

Conclusions:

• Tear film stability is crucial for maintaining visual performance.
• Severe MGD is associated with reductions in both BCVA and reading speed.
• Reading speed testing could be a valuable tool in clinical practice to identify visual task difficulties in MGD patients.