Pun Yuet Lam1, Kendrick Co Shih, Pak Yui Fong, Tommy Chung Yan Chan, Alex Lap-Ki Ng, Vishal Jhanji, Louis Tong. 1. Department of Ophthalmology (P.Y.L., K.C.S., P.Y.F., T.C.Y.C., A.L.-K.N.), Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR; Department of Ophthalmology (T.C.Y.C.), Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong SAR; Department of Ophthalmology (V.J.), University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, Pittsburgh, PA; Cornea and External Eye Disease Service (L.T.), Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; and Ocular Surface Research Group (L.T.), Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate recent studies on available therapies for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: A literature search on recent publications, within the last five years, concerning treatment options for MGD was performed. RESULTS: A total of 35 articles were reviewed after curation by the authors for relevance. In general, all modalities of treatments were shown to have clinical efficacy in alleviating dry eye signs and symptoms, although the extent of improvement and persistency of outcomes varied between the different treatments. Evidence from published studies demonstrate that thermal pulsation produces the longest lasting effect per treatment, but it also incurs the highest per-treatment cost. Reusable methods for warm compress with lipid/semi-fluorinated alkane-containing eye drops are recommended as first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate dry eye patients, because this option is most technically feasible and cost-effective in clinical practice. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and thermal pulsation may be suitable as second line for patients unresponsive to warm compress therapy; however, their respective limitations need to be considered. For refractory MGD with features of periductal fibrosis or severe blepharitis, supplementary treatment with meibomian gland probing or oral antibiotics may be used. CONCLUSIONS: All eight forms of treatments, including self-applied eyelid warming, thermal pulsation, IPL, MG probing, antibiotics, lipid-containing eye drops, and perfluorohexyloctane, were effective against MGD, although with varying extent of clinical improvements. A better understanding on the mechanisms of actions may guide physicians to make better treatment decisions targeting the root causes.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate recent studies on available therapies for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: A literature search on recent publications, within the last five years, concerning treatment options for MGD was performed. RESULTS: A total of 35 articles were reviewed after curation by the authors for relevance. In general, all modalities of treatments were shown to have clinical efficacy in alleviating dry eye signs and symptoms, although the extent of improvement and persistency of outcomes varied between the different treatments. Evidence from published studies demonstrate that thermal pulsation produces the longest lasting effect per treatment, but it also incurs the highest per-treatment cost. Reusable methods for warm compress with lipid/semi-fluorinated alkane-containing eye drops are recommended as first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate dry eyepatients, because this option is most technically feasible and cost-effective in clinical practice. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and thermal pulsation may be suitable as second line for patients unresponsive to warm compress therapy; however, their respective limitations need to be considered. For refractory MGD with features of periductal fibrosis or severe blepharitis, supplementary treatment with meibomian gland probing or oral antibiotics may be used. CONCLUSIONS: All eight forms of treatments, including self-applied eyelid warming, thermal pulsation, IPL, MG probing, antibiotics, lipid-containing eye drops, and perfluorohexyloctane, were effective against MGD, although with varying extent of clinical improvements. A better understanding on the mechanisms of actions may guide physicians to make better treatment decisions targeting the root causes.
Authors: Louis Tong; Li Lim; Donald Tan; Wee Jin Heng; Jimmy Lim; Cordelia Chan; Anshu Arundhati; Anna Tan Journal: Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) Date: 2021-11-11