THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERFEROMETRY IN PATIENTS WITH EVAPORATE TYPES OF DRY EYE DISEASE AS A RESULT OF MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION

Ana Trpeska Boshkoska; Emilija Gjoshevska Dashtevska

Ana Trpeska Boshkoska PHI University Clinic for eye diseases
Emilija Gjoshevska Dashtevska Faculty of Medicine, "St. Cyril and Methodius", University in Skopje, North Macedonia

Abstract

Abstract

Interferometry is a modern method for assessing the thickness of the lipid layer of the tear film, which through its analysis may lead to the diagnosis of the evaporative type of dry eye disease in patients suffering from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the significance of interferometry and the relationship of interferometric values with clinical findings and dry eye tests in patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. Material and methods: The study included 50 subjects suffering from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in whom examination of the eyelids of both eyes was performed, the clinical stage of the disease was determined, and TBUT, Schirmer II test, meniscometry, Oxford score and interferometry were performed. Results: Statistical analysis of 100 eyes showed a significant correlation of interferometric values with the clinical grade (r -0.9574, p 0.001), with TBUT (r 0.7858, p 0.001) and with Oxford score (r -0.7496, p 0.001), while Schirmer II test and meniscometry showed a weak statistically insignificant correlation with interferometric values. Conclusion: The thickness of the lipid layer of the tears has an important role in the diagnosis and grading of evaporative type dry eye disease in patients suffering from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, which may allow easier and faster diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of these patients.

Keywords: meibomian gland dysfunction, interferometry, lipid layer thickness, TBUT, Schirmer II test, meniscometry, Oxford score.

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