Eyelid cleansing with ointment for obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of eyelid margin cleansing with ofloxacin ophthalmic ointment in obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) patients.

Methods: Thirty-one eyes of 31 patients diagnosed with obstructive MGD were enrolled. All subjects were instructed to rub the eyelid edge with ofloxacin eye ointment once daily prior to bathing. Lid margin abnormalities, meibum properties, and tear stability were observed before and 3 months after ointment treatment. A questionnaire relating to the severity of MGD symptoms was administered after the treatment.

Results: Vascular engorgement, meibum, dandruff-like debris, and fluorescein staining scores significantly decreased after the treatment, whereas tear break-up time significantly increased (p < 0.05). Symptoms related to MGD improved after the treatment in 86.2 % of cases.

Conclusions: Cleansing treatment ofloxacin ophthalmic ointment at the eyelid margin may be effective for patients with obstructive MGD.