The association between demodex infestation and ocular surface manifestations in meibomian gland dysfunction

• Published in: International journal of ophthalmology Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 589 - 592
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiao-Bo, Ding, Ying-Hui, He, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China International Journal of Ophthalmology Press 18.04.2018; Press of International Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO PRESS)
• Subjects: Clinical Research; demodex; meibomian gland dysfunction; ocular surface; meibomian gland dysfunction; demodex; ocular surface
• ISSN: 2222-3959; 2227-4898
• DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2018.04.08

To investigate the association between ocular infestation and ocular surface manifestations in meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Eight-six patients with MGD were enrolled. All enrolled subjects were tested in the following sequence: ocular surface disease index (OSDI), slit-lamp biomicroscope examination, corneal surface regularity index (SRI) and surface asymmetry index (SAI), tear fluid collection, fluorescein tear film break-up time (F-BUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), Schirmer I test (SIT) and counting. Tear matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity was assessed using MMP-9 activity assay kit. Among 86 MGD patients, 40 were positive for . The ocular -positive group showed significantly increased scores of OSDI (25.96±13.74 18.07±11.55, =0.01), lid margin abnormality (2.38±0.87 1.98±0.91, =0.04) and CFS (1.28±2.00 0.94±1.36, =0.01) compared to the ocular -free group. The tear MMP-9 activity was higher in the ocular -positive group (102.9±32.4 ng/mL) than the ocular -free group (46.2±19.2 ng/mL, =0.03). There was no significant difference in meibum quality and expressibility, SRI, SAI, F-BUT and SIT between the two groups ( >0.05 for each). No significant correlation was noted between the number of and ocular surface parameters in -positive MGD group ( >0.05 for each). Ocular infestation may be associated with ocular discomfort and ocular surface damage in MGD.