Posters

The study of Meibomian gland dysfunction in vitiligo

Poster Details

First Author: A.Taheri IRAN

Co Author(s):    M. Nikandish                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the function of meibomian glands and tear film in patients with vitiligo.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Valiasr Hospital, Birjand, Iran.

Methods:

This case-control study was conducted in 43 patients with vitiligo and 43 controls in Birjand, Iran. After receiving informed consent, they entered the study. In addition to demographic information and skin disease characteristics, the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was completed for each patient. Then eye examinations including slit lamp, Schirmer test, Strip Meniscometry Tube (SMTube) and tear break up time (TBUT) were performed. The meibomian glands were also imaged using noncontact meibography system (SBM Sistemi, Italy). Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS software at a significant level of less than 0.05.

Results:

Patients had significantly higher mean OSDI score than control (5.49±5.20 vs 3.04±2.60; p≤0.01). There was a significant difference between the mean score of the Schirmer test (OD: 7.36±4.56 vs 17.37±6.51; OS: 4.19±7.00 vs 17.30±4.51; p≤0.01) and SMTube (OD: 9.65±4.52 vs 4.09±2.33; OS: 9.64±3.67 vs 4.39±2.18; p≤0.01) in both eyes. However, the mean TBUT of both eyes was not different between groups. Meibography showed no significant difference in meibomian glands atrophy percentage between groups.

Conclusions:

Vitiligo is associated with a reduction in the production of aqueous tear film, but does not affect the structure and function of meibomain glands.

Financial Disclosure:

None