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Meibomian gland dysfunction in geriatric population: tehran geriatric eye study

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and its risk factors in an elderly Iranian population

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019. The target population was the subjects aged 60 and over living in Tehran. Multistage cluster sampling was done to select the subjects from all Tehran districts. After an initial interview, all subjects underwent complete ophthalmic examinations including the measurement of visual acuity and refraction as well as slit lamp biomicroscopy to evaluate Meibomian glands.

Results

Of 3791 selected subjects, 3310 participated in the study. The data of 3284 participants were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects was 68.24 ± 6.53 years (range: 60–97 years) and 57.8% of them were female.

The total prevalence of MGD was 71.2% (68.3–74.1), and 38.1% (8.35–40.4), 30.3% (27.4–33.2), and 2.8% (2–3.6) of the subjects had MGD stage 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The prevalence of MGD was significantly higher in men (p < 0.001) and increased with age from 64.4% in the age group 60–64 years to 82.4% in subjects aged 80 years and over. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of MGD between smokers and nonsmokers; however, severe MGD was more common in smokers. The prevalence of MGD was 76.3% and 68.52% in subjects with and without a history of ocular surgery, respectively. The prevalence of MGD stage 3 and 4 was higher in subjects with a history of ocular surgery.

Conclusions

In line with the results of other studies in Asian countries, this study found a high prevalence of MGD in an elderly population of Iran. It was found that male gender and advanced age were risk factors of MGD and smoking and history of ocular surgery might worsen this disease in MGD patients.

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Funding

This project was financially supported by National Institute for Medical Research Development (NIMAD) affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (Grant code: 963660).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran

    Hassan Hashemi, Mojgan Pakbin & Mohammadreza Asadollahi

  2. Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Amir Asharlous

  3. Translational Ophthalmology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mohamadreza Aghamirsalim

  4. Refractive Errors Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Abbasali Yekta

  5. Noor Ophthalmology Research Center, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran

    Rama Pourmatin & Masoome Sajjadi

  6. Department of Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mehdi Khabazkhoob

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  1. Hassan Hashemi
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  9. Mehdi Khabazkhoob
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Correspondence to Mehdi Khabazkhoob.

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This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of National Institute for Medical Research Development affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

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Hashemi, H., Asharlous, A., Aghamirsalim, M. et al. Meibomian gland dysfunction in geriatric population: tehran geriatric eye study. Int Ophthalmol 41, 2539–2546 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-021-01812-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-021-01812-2

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