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Professor Malin Malmsjö, MD, PhD. Photo.

Malin Malmsjö

Professor

Professor Malin Malmsjö, MD, PhD. Photo.

Tear secretion is preserved while the area of meibomian glands is reduced in patients with prosthetic eyes, contributing to the symptoms of dry eye

Author

  • Elin Bohman
  • Johanna Berggren
  • Olof Neumann
  • Rafi Sheikh
  • Malin Malmsjö

Summary, in English

Background/aims It is unclear whether a reduction in tear secretion contributes to the discomfort experienced by those with prosthetic eyes. Tear secretion has hitherto only been measured with the Schirmer test which may be affected by the pooling of tears behind the prosthesis. In this study, direct imaging of the lacrimal gland has been performed to measure tear secretion in anophthalmic sockets. The relation between the area of meibomian glands and dry eye symptoms was also assessed.Methods 12 patients were included. The amount of tear secretion was measured by direct imaging of the lacrimal gland while the presence of meibomian glands was determined using meibography. The 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire was used to assess symptoms of dry eye.Results No difference was found in tear secretion between the anophthalmic socket and the contralateral eye. The area of meibomian glands was significantly reduced in eyelids on the side of the prosthetic eye, compared with the contralateral eye. Seven patients reported symptoms indicative of dry eye in the anophthalmic socket, compared with only two in the contralateral eye.Conclusions The effects of an eye prosthesis on meibomian glands may contribute to the frequently perceived symptoms of dry eye despite unaffected in tear secretion.All data relevant to the study are included in the article.

Department/s

  • Ophthalmology Imaging Research Group
  • LU Profile Area: Light and Materials
  • LTH Profile Area: Photon Science and Technology
  • Ophthalmology, Lund

Publishing year

2025

Language

English

Pages

300-304

Publication/Series

British Journal of Ophthalmology

Volume

109

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

BMJ Publishing Group

Topic

  • Ophthalmology

Status

Published

Research group

  • Ophthalmology Imaging Research Group

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1468-2079