Efficacy of lid wipes in reducing the incidence of post cataract surgery meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of commercially available sterile lid wipes in reducing the incidence of MGD and dry eye after cataract surgery. In this prospective clinical study 40 patients undergoing uneventful cataract surgery were included. They were divided randomly into 2 groups of 20 patients each. The control group was prescribed standard postoperative regimen consisting of topical steroid, antibiotic and NSAID. The study group was prescribed in addition to the above topical regimen, sterile lid wipes for cleaning of lid margin and lashes. The signs and symptoms of all patients were assessed and scoring was done based on severity grading of a structured symptom based Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire, corneal staining, meibum expressibility and meibum quality at preoperative and at postoperative 3 weeks and 6 weeks. The data obtained was analysed statistically. The SPEED questionnaire, corneal staining, meibum expressibility and meibum quality mean scores worsened statistically significantly in the control group as compared to the study group (p<0.001). In control group, the mean score of all the parameters were statistically significantly worsened at all follow up visits. (p<0.001).Maintaining lid hygiene with lid wipes in post cataract surgery period is effective in prevention of MGD and dry eye.