A new study has found that children treated for primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) show significant changes in their tear film and meibomian glands (MG), compared to healthy children of the same age.
Study Design
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study comparing the eyes of children with treated PCG to those of healthy children. A total of 71 eyes from 42 children with PCG and 30 eyes from 30 healthy children were analyzed using the MediWorks Dry Eye Diagnostic System, a non-contact tool for measuring eye surface health.
Seven key eye health indicators were measured:
- Non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT)
- Tear meniscus height
- Lipid layer thickness
- Eyelid edge structure
- Meibomian gland structure
- Ocular surface staining
- Conjunctival redness
Key Findings
Children with PCG had significantly worse results in multiple areas:
- MG loss was more severe (1.3 ± 0.5) compared to healthy eyes (0.1 ± 0.3).
- NIBUT was shorter in PCG eyes (7.2 ± 2.6 seconds vs. 11.9 ± 2.4 seconds).
- The lipid layer was thinner (grade 3.2 ± 0.6 vs. 3.6 ± 0.5).
- A much higher percentage of PCG eyes had low tear meniscus height (46.5% vs. 93.3%).
Sub-group analysis showed that PCG eyes on glaucoma medication had even worse results than PCG eyes not on medication. Even untreated PCG eyes had more issues than healthy eyes. The study also found that children who had undergone glaucoma surgery had poorer tear film and MG health.
This is the first study to look at both MG and tear film changes in children treated for PCG. The results suggest that glaucoma treatments, including eye drops and surgery, may contribute to long-term eye surface problems. These findings highlight the need for regular eye surface evaluations in children being treated for PCG.
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