Ocular surface alterations and changes of meibomian glands with meibography in type 1 diabetic children.

PURPOSE: To observe the changes of the ocular surface and meibomian glands by non-contact meibography in patients with type 1 diabetic children.

METHODS

A total of forty-three patients with type 1 diabetic children and 43 age-matched healthy subjects were included in the study. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, invasive tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), fluorescein staining of the ocular surface and Schirmer II test were performed for all participants. Ocular surface and lid margins were evaluated by slit lamp. Non-contact meibography was performed with the Phoenix-Meibography module in Sirius corneal topographic device.

RESULTS

Both groups consisted of 25 (58.1%) female and 18 (41.9%) male children and the mean age was 14.4 ± 2.5 years. In the T1DM group, the mean disease duration was 6.8 ± 3.1 years. The mean TF-BUT (p = 0.002) and Schirmer II test (p = 0.007) measurements were lower in the diabetic group than those of in controls. Total eyelid score (p = 0.027) and meibomian gland (MG) secretion score (p = 0.007) were significantly high in diabetic children. MG area loss was also significantly high in both lower and upper eyelid (p < 0.001). In morphological analyses of meibomian glands thinning, shortening and presence of ghost areas (p = 0.05, p = 0.027 and p = 0.000, respectively) were more common in the diabetic group. There was no correlation between both lower and upper eyelid meiboscores and disease duration (p = 0.51 and p = 0.61), BMI (p = 0.08 and p = 0.51), serum HbA1c level (p = 0.06 and p = 0.49) and IGF-1 SDS (p = 0.38 and p = 0.68).

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that the MG loss area increases and morphological alterations of meibomian glands occur in type 1 diabetic children. Disease duration and metabolic control of diabetes do not affect meibography measurements.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: The study was organized in accordance with the ethical standards settled by the Ethics Committee of Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2011-KAEK-2, 2021/106.

TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE: 02.05.2021.