Changes in meibography in pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

AbstractPurpose Pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis is an underrecognized and poorly defined disorder. Few details are known about its underlying etiology because children are less cooperative with intensive examination. Nevertheless the meibomian gland dysfunction seems to play an important role in the etiology. Non‐contact Meibography can achieve a non‐invasive investigation of the meibomian glands inside the tarsal plates of the eyelids. The purpose of this study was to investigate meibomian gland morphology in pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis by non‐contact infrared Meibography.Methods The study group included 10 children (20 eyes) suffering from pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis. Subjective symptoms of ocular discomfort, conjunctival and corneal involvement were recorded. The lid margins were evaluated and non‐contact Meibography was performed. Partial or complete loss of the meibomian glands and the presence of tortuosity were checked.Results All patients reported ocular discomfort as well as lid margin, conjunctival, and corneal involvement. The mean age of the study population was 8 years (2‐16 years) and 60% were female. In 8 children (out of 10) meibography revealed partial or complete drop out of meibomian glands in the upper or lower tarsal plate but more frequently in the lower tarsal plate, also abnormal tortuosity of the meibomian glands in the upper eyelid was found.Conclusion Our investigations showed that pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis can be associated with drop out or abnormal tortuosity of meibomian glands evaluated with meibography.