Clinical Analysis of Dry Eye Syndrome According to Anterior Displacement of the Marx Line

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with dry eye syndrome according to anterior displacement of the Marx line.Methods: This retrospective study involved 127 eyes in 127 patients with dry eye, who were divided into three groups: group 1, aqueous-deficient, including Sjögren syndrome; group 2, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) dry eye; and group 3, other tear layer instability. A detailed assessment was conducted, involving the Ocular Surface Disease Index, corneal fluorescein staining (score: 0-15), conjunctival Lissamine green staining (score: 0-12), measurement of tear breakup time, and Schirmer’s test.Results: The proportion of patients with MGD was highest in the group with anterior displacement of the Marx line (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The correlation between anterior dislocation of the Marx line and Schirmer’s test, an objective indicator of dry eye syndrome, was significantly weaker when there was anterior displacement of the Marx line.Conclusions: Anterior dislocation of the Marx line was more common in patients with MGD. The Marx line is a useful marker for diagnosing MGD.