Meibomian Gland Changes in Open-angle Glaucoma Users Treated with Topical Medication

Abstract

Significance: Glaucoma patients treated with topical hypotensive eye drops often experience changes in the ocular surface, including the lid margin and the meibomian glands. In this study, the clinical parameters of the ocular surface have been analyzed to detect the presence of meibomian gland dysfunction-related dry eye disease.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the meibomian gland dysfunction in glaucoma patients secondary to topical antiglaucomatous treatment.

Methods: A total of 131 eyes from different patients with open-angle glaucoma treated with topical medication and 92 eyes from different patients with untreated ocular hypertension were consecutively and prospectively enrolled. The structure of the meibomian glands was assessed using noncontact meibography (Keratograph 5M; Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), and their function was evaluated by measurement of meibomian glands expressibility, the duct appearance, and the Marx line location. Moreover, tear osmolarity measurement, corneal staining score (Oxford scale), and ocular symptom assessment (Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire) were performed. We also compared these variables in the glaucoma group according to the presence (or not) of preservative in topical treatment.

Results: Meibomian gland depletion was higher in glaucoma patients with topical medication (P < .001). Furthermore, the quantity of meibomian glands and expressibility of meibum in these patients were altered compared with the control group (P < .001 in both cases). In addition, the glaucoma group presented a higher degree of corneal staining as measured with the Oxford scale (P < .001). The Marx line location score was higher (P < .001 in central Marx line and P < .003 in temporal Marx line) in patients using drugs containing preservative than in those having preservative-free treatment. Logistical regression found that Marx line central, Marx line temporal, quantity of meibum expression, and quality of meibum expression have predictive ability to detect meibomian gland dysfunction-related dry eye disease.

Conclusions: Glaucoma topical treatments produce meibomian gland dysfunction altering their structure and function, and this condition can be worsened using topical treatments containing preservative.