The effect of oral isotretinoin therapy on meibomian gland morphology and dry eye tests

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of study was to evaluate the effects of oral isotretinoin on meibomian gland (MG) morphology detected with non-contact meibography and to investigate its relation with clinical dry eye tests.

Methods

Forty-five acne patients treated with isotretinoin underwent a full ophthalmological examination at baseline and in the fourth month as follows: ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, assessments of tear film break-up time (TFBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer test, meibum expression, and lid margin abnormalities. Non-contact meibography imaging and noninvasive tear break up time (NI-BUT) assessments were also performed. The changes in MGs were scored (meibography score) as grade 0, no change; grade 1, mild; grade 2, moderate; and grade 3, marked.

Results

There was a statistically significant change in OSDI, corneal fluorescein staining, lid margin abnormality, and meibum expression score during the treatment compared to baseline values (p < .001, p = .02, p < .001, and p < .001, respectively). All meibography scores showed a positive correlation with the lid margin abnormality and meibum expression score but did not correlate with the TFBUT, NI-BUT, Schirmer test, or the corneal fluorescein staining score.

Conclusion

The morphologic analysis using non-contact meibography is a useful method for assessing isotretinoin-related changes in MGs.

Keywords:

• Acne vulgaris
• dry eye disease
• isotretinoin
• meibography
• meibomian gland dysfunction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).