Evaluation of changes in meibomian glands in polycystic ovary syndrome by noncontact infrared meibography

Abstract

Aim: The human meibomian gland contains several overexpressed genes that are related to lipid dynamics and glandular structure. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) was found to be associated with significant changes in these genes. The aim of this study was to compare the changes in meibomian glands in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy young women by non-contact meibography for the first time. Methods: A total of 58 right eyes belonging to 28 patients with PCOS and 30 healthy women in the control group were included in this case-control study. The ocular surface and eyelid margins were evaluated with slit lamp examinations. Participants were asked about dry eye symptoms. Schirmer and tear film break time (TBUT) tests were performed consecutively. The morphology of the meibomian glands was observed with non-contact meibography and scored with the meiboscore. Results: Dry eye symptoms were more prevalent and average TBUT was shorter in PCOS patients (p=0.001, p=0.02, respectively). However, Schirmer test results did not differ among the PCOS and control groups (p= 0.47). The meiboscores for upper eyelids and total eyelids were significantly higher in the PCOS group (P=0.001 and P=0.004, respectively), suggesting that PCOS is accompanied by meibomian gland dropout. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the morphological status of the meibomian gland and the ocular surface were in worse condition in PCOS patients than in the normal controls, and we successfully observed the loss of meibomian gland in PCOS patients through non-contact meibography.