Abstract:Background: Meibomian gland dysfunction is a common chronic disease of eyelid wherein there is reduction in the quantity as well as changes in the composition of meibomian gland secretions, resulting in instability and thinning of the tear film which ultimately interferes with the ocular surface. It has also been observed that postmenopausal women may present with decrease in central corneal thickness due to hormonal changes. Studies have been done regarding the role of meibomian gland dysfunction in central corneal thickness changes.
Objectives: To assess and compare the central corneal thickness and estimate estradiol levels in postmenopausal women with and without MGD, as well as and to correlate estradiol levels with severity of MGD in postmenopausal women with MGD.
Design: Duration based, comparative two-group study.
Participants: 80 participants with 160 eyes among which 40 were postmenopausal women with MGD and 40 were postmenopausal women without MGD.
Methods: All female subjects satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the age group of 52 – 65 years who visited VIMS and RC, Bangalore between January 2018 to February 2020 were included. They underwent full ophthalmological examination – visual acuity assessment, retinoscopy, refraction, slit lamp examination, fundus examination, horizontal and vertical corneal curvature assessment, specular microscopy, tear break up time and Schirmer I test along with estimation of estrogen, progesterone and FSH levels.
Results: This study concluded that mean central corneal thickness was reduced in case of postmenopausal women with MGD when compared to postmenopausal women without MGD with statistically significant results.
Conclusion: Central corneal thickness was considerably less in postmenopausal women with MGD when compared to postmenopausal women without MGD, CCT assessment must be considered in every woman, especially in elderly patients.