Meibomian gland loss area and its relationship with eyelid margin hyperemia and meibomian gland orifice plugging

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to state a relationship between the meibomian gland loss area (MGLA), eyelid hyperemia and meibomian gland (MG) orifices plugging in a sample of university students. Material and methods: A total of 74 participants were recruited. Meibography images were obtained with the OCULUS® Keratograph 5M and MGLA was calculated using the ImageJ software; also, MGLA was categorized following the Meiboscale into 4 groups: group 1 (<25%), group 2 (25-50%), groups 3 (50-75%), and group 4 (>75%). An exhaustive slit lamp examination of both eyelids was performed. Eyelid margin hyperemia and MG orifices plugging of each eyelid were categorized following Arita et. al grading scales. Results: A significant statistical relationship was found between MG orifices plugging and MGLA for both eyelids (Fisher’s exact test; both p < 0.019). Also, correlations were obtained between lower MGLA and lower MG orifices plugging (Cramer-V = 0.583, p ≤ 0.001); and between upper MGLA and upper eyelid margin hyperemia (Cramer-V = 0.418, p = 0.023), and upper MG orifices plugging (Cramer-V = 0.413, Fisher’s exact test: p = 0.042). Conclusion: MGLA varies depending on MG orifices plugging in upper and lower eyelids; also, in upper eyelids MGLA was correlated with eyelid hyperemia.