Tear film and meibomian gland functions in psoriasis

Tear secretion, tear film stability, and meibomian gland function (plugging, volume, and thickness) were assessed in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (n = 70). As compared to that of the healthy controls (n = 125) mean Schirmer I value of psoriatic patients was found to be in normal ranges, whereas tear film break-up time was significantly lowered. When evaluating meibomian gland function, psoriatic patients were found to have higher plugging and thickness indices but a normal volume of meibomian gland secretion. These findings suggested an obstructive type of meibomian gland dysfunction in psoriatic patients which might result from increased turnover of the epithelia lining the meibomian gland duct.