Exploring the Predisposition of the Asian Eye to Development of Dry Eye.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of eyelid shape on tear film quality, ocular surface characteristics and dry eye symptomatology by comparing Asian and Caucasian populations.

METHODS

Seventy-four age-matched participants were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Participants were classified into Asian single lid (ASL), Asian double lid (ADL), and Caucasian double lid (CDL) groups. Dry eye symptomatology, ocular surface characteristics, and tear film quality were evaluated in a single clinical session.

RESULTS

Meibomian gland dropout was significantly greater in both the ASL and ADL groups than in the CDL group (all P<.05). A greater proportion of ASL and ADL participants exhibited incomplete blinking than CDL patients (all P<.05). There were no significant differences in tear film quality and dry eye symptomatology between the three groups (all P>.05). Exposed ocular surface area, lissamine green staining, and lid wiper epitheliopathy were significantly greater in the ADL group compared to the CDL group (all P<.05). The CDL group displayed significantly greater anterior blepharitis and lid telangiectasia grades compared to both ASL and ADL groups (all P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher degree of meibomian gland dropout and incomplete blinking was observed in both Asian groups compared to the Caucasian group, potentially predisposing these groups to dry eye.