Reshma Pathan1
AIMS: To study the prevalence of the meibomian gland disease in type 2 diabetic patients and its clinical presentations.
SETTING AND DESIGN: A hospital based cross sectional descriptive study of 100 type 2 diabetic patients attending a medical college was conducted.
METHODS: Detailed diabetic history was recorded. Assessment of ocular surface i.e. the lid margins, conjunctiva, corneal surface was done via slit lamp biomicroscopy. Meibomian gland disease (MGD) severity was assessed by the quality and expressibility of the meibomian secretion. Dry eye tests like schirmer’s test and tear film breakup time were done.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SPSS statistical software version 17 was used.
RESULTS: 56% of the patients out of 100 diabetic patients had MGD. The most common symptom was burning (46.9%), followed by dryness (23.5%), 5.6% had conjunctival injection, 7.14% had corneal erosions, 25% had mucus debris, 53.65% had dry eye which was statistically significant (p=0.001), 56.25% males and 72.2% females had the disease which was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Meibomian gland disease in the diabetic population was 56% which is more than the general population prevalence. Apart from other disorders diabetics are also more prone for ocular surface diseases like Meibomian gland disease. MGD is an important pre disposer for severe diseases like Dry eye in this subgroup of patients which can lead to complications like conjunctival keratinisations, corneal erosions and perforations. Careful examination of these patients for ocular surface disease and prompt treatment is required
