[Analysis of the meibomian glands condition in dry eye patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the condition of meibomian glands in dry eye patients. METHODS: Non interventional, observational study. 388 eyes from 194 patients which were diagnosed as dry eye during March to December 2010 were collected, 69 males (138 eyes), 125 females (250 eyes). Patients' age range 7-85 years, mean (44±18) years. Symptom score, Schirmer test Ia (SIaT), tear film break-up time (BUT) and superficial punctuated keratopathy were measured. The meibomian glands were observed using the noncontact meibography system. RESULTS: In all subjects, symptom score 5.47±2.14, SIaT (5.58±4.22) mm, BUT (3.09±2.34) s, superficial punctuated keratopathy score 4.10±3.79. Meibo-score: 1 point, 3.09% (12 eyes); 2 points, 9.28% (36 eyes); 3 points, 20.10% (78 eyes); 4 points, 26.03% (101 eyes); 5 points, 21.91% (85 eyes); 6 points, 19.59% (76 eyes). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal meibomian glands occupied a extremely high proportion of dry eye which indicate that meibomian glands disorder plays important role in dry eye. Noncontact meibography system could show accurate structure of meibomian glands.