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Meibomian gland atrophy in children with allergic conjunctivitis
Wen-Fang He1, Yi-Ping Wu2, Jing-Wei Zheng3
1Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong Province, China.
Insights
Children with allergic conjunctivitis experience worsened meibomian gland atrophy (MGA). Factors like increased screen time and untreated condition duration elevate MGA, while outdoor exercise offers protection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Eye Health
- Ocular Surface Disease
Background:
- Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is common in children.
- Meibomian gland atrophy (MGA) can affect ocular surface health.
- Factors contributing to MGA in pediatric AC require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key factors associated with meibomian gland atrophy (MGA) in children diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis (AC).
- To compare MGA rates between children with and without AC.
- To explore the influence of lifestyle and disease-specific factors on MGA severity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study included 60 children with AC and 20 controls (aged 6-17).
- Data collected included AC duration, untreated time, electronic screen time (EST), outdoor exercise, BMI, and eye rubbing frequency.
- Meibomian gland atrophy rate (MGAR) was quantified using Keratograph 5M and Image J analysis.
Main Results:
- Children with AC showed significantly higher MGAR (33.42%) compared to controls (18.10%).
- Increased electronic screen time (EST) and longer untreated AC duration were identified as risk factors for higher MGAR.
- Greater outdoor exercise time demonstrated a protective effect against MGA.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric allergic conjunctivitis is associated with accelerated meibomian gland atrophy.
- Younger children (≤12 years) and those with prolonged untreated AC are more susceptible to MGA.
- Lifestyle modifications, including reduced screen time and increased outdoor activity, may mitigate MGA progression in children with AC.
Aim:
To investigate the factors influencing meibomian gland atrophy (MGA) in children with allergic conjunctivitis (AC).
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 60 children with AC aged 6-17y and 20 age-matched children without signs or symptoms of ocular surface dysfunction were included. Information on the duration of AC, untreated time, electronic screen time (EST), outdoor exercise time, body mass index (BMI), and frequency of eye rubbing was collected using a health history form. The Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) score was used for dry eye assessment. Images of the meibomian glands (MGs) were obtained using Keratograph 5M, and the rate of meibomian gland atrophy (MGAR) was calculated using Image J. All subjects underwent routine eye examinations.
Results:
The average age of the AC group was 10.43±2.75y (range 6-17y) and 10.35±3.42y (range 6-14y) in the control group. The MGAR in the AC group was 33.42%±11.91%, significantly higher than that in the control group (18.10%±11.74%, P<0.001). Moreover, the MGAR in younger children (aged 12 and below) was significantly higher than in older children (P<0.05). Multi-factor linear regression analysis revealed that EST non-projector was a risk factor for MGAR (β=0.332, 95%CI 0.04-0.22, P=0.004), while outdoor exercise time was a protective factor against MGAR (β=-0.407, 95%CI -0.39 to -0.10, P=0.001). The untreated time of AC was identified as a risk factor for MGAR (β=0.24, 95%CI 0.07-1.98, P=0.037), and the frequency of eye rubbing was associated with MG distortion score (P=0.00).
Conclusion:
Children with AC exhibit exacerbate MGA, with the degree of atrophy worsening as the untreated time of AC prolongs. Children under 12 years old show a higher MGAR, and EST non-projector negatively impacts MGA, while increased outdoor exercise time acts as a protective factor against MGA.
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