Evaluation of Ocular Surface and Meibomian Glands Alterations with Meibography in Patients with Inactive Behçet's Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ocular surface and meibography of patients with inactive Behçet's uveitis.

METHODS: Twenty-five right eyes of 25 patients with inactive Behçet's uveitis (Group 1) and 25 right eyes of 25 healthy individuals (Group 2) were enrolled. Detailed eye examination along with Schirmer 1 test, tear film break-up time (t-BUT), ocular surface staining with fluorescein and Oxford scoring, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score assessment were performed. Lower and upper eyelid Meibomian glands were examined with infrared filter of slit-lamp biomicroscope (SL-D701 with DC-4 digital camera and BG-5 background illuminator, TOPCON, Tokyo, Japan (from grade 0 (no dropout of Meibomian glands) to grade 3 (gland dropout >2/3 of the total Meibomian glands)).

RESULTS: The mean ages were 36.84 ± 7.39 (range, 23-59) and 33.88 ± 8.25 (range, 18-55) in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p = 0.547). When compared with Group 2 in Group 1, best-corrected visual acuity (0.28 vs 0.00 logMAR, p < 0.001), Schirmer 1 test (18.68 vs. 23.69, p = 0.017), mean tear film break-up time (10.76 vs. 13.36, p = 0.026) were significantly lower; Oxford scale and OSDI scores were higher (p = 0.039 and p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference in lower, upper and total (upper + lower) meiboscores were detected in between groups (p = 0.062, p = 0.228 and p = 0.152, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Despite the tendency toward dry eye syndrome, Behçet's uveitis does not seem to be associated with quantitative Meibomian gland changes which is demonstrated by gland drop-out with meibography.