Distribution and Characteristics of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Subtypes: A Multicenter Study in South Korea

Abstract

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the distribution and characteristics of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)and the treatment patterns for symptomatic MGD patients in South Korea. Methods: One hundred ninety-six right eyes of 196 MGD patients were enrolled. For each patient, meibumexpressibility in the central eight glands in both the upper and lower eyelids was examined. Each upperand lower eyelid was separately classified into one of the following three subtypes: nonobvious obstructive(low-delivery without lid margin abnormality), obvious obstructive (low-delivery with lid margin abnormality),and hypersecretory (high-delivery with lid margin abnormality). All treatment plans were also recorded. Results: The mean number of expressible glands of the central eight glands in the upper eyelids (3.9 ± 2.6)was significantly higher than that in the lower eyelids (2.2 ± 2.4, p < 0.001). Obvious obstructive MGD wasthe most common subtype, followed by the hypersecretory and nonobvious obstructive subtypes in boththe upper and lower eyelids. Of the 196 subjects, 38 (19.4%) had upper and lower eyelids that were assignedto different categories. Eyelid hygiene was the most prescribed treatment (74.5%), followed by lubricant eyedrop usage (71.5%). Physicians tended to determine treatment plans based on the subtype of the upper eyelidrather than that of the lower eyelid. Conclusions: The majority of subjects were classified as having the obvious obstructive subtype of MGD, and19.4% had upper and lower eyelids that were different subtypes. Eyelid hygiene was the most prescribedtreatment for MGD patients, and treatment patterns were mostly determined based on the subtype of theupper eyelids.