Comparative Evaluations of Multiple Treatment Modalities for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Prospective Clinical Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the different approaches used in the treatment of Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).Materials and Methods: The study included 92 cases with MGD who were assigned to treatment groups of conservative management alone or together with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, oral azithromycin, oral doxycycline, topical cyclosporine and preservative-free artificial tears containing polyvinyl alcohol and povidone. Ocular surface parameters, including the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), SPEED score, and Meibomian gland parameters were evaluated.Results: A statistically significant increase was determined in Meibum grade plugging and Marx line scores with treatment of IPL therapy (p <0.05). In the group receiving doxycycline treatment; there was a significant improvement in OSDI and SPEED ​​scores, plugging, TBUT, and meibum grades. In the group receiving cyclosporine treatment, there was a significant improvement in OSDI and SPEED ​​scores, plugging, TBUT, and meibum grades. There was a statistically significant increase in the conservative treatment group in respect of lid margin irregularity, Marx line score, OSDI and SPEED scores. In the group receiving azithromycin treatment, plugging, lid margin irregularity, TBUT, OSDI and SPEED scores increased significantly. Conclusions: Various treatment methods can be used for MGD. All the conservative treatment methods used in this study were seen to be successful.