World Ophthalmology Congress (2014)
TOKYO — Meibomian gland dysfunction in children is an underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed pathology that needs accurate assessment of clinical signs and symptoms and thoughtful treatment, according to one specialist.
“Prevalence is variable, between 3% and 77%, depending on areas and climates, and seems to be higher in the Asian population. Symptoms in children are numerous, often unclear and can heavily impact on the child’s quality of life,” Dominique Brémond-Gignac, MD, said at the World Ophthalmology Congress.
Clinical signs should be evaluated carefully by examining the eyelid margins and ocular surface. Associated skin anomalies might require dermatological assessment. Evaluation of potentially induced dry eye is also important.
“New devices using infrared illumination are now available for precise evaluation of eyelids and meibomian glands. The Cobra system (CSO) has an incorporated software that calculates meibomian gland loss in eyelids and can be easily used in schoolchildren,” Brémond-Gignac said.
Treatment has been dramatically improved by innovative options, she said
First of all, lid hygiene is essential, and cleansing gels are useful. In place of traditional warm compresses, eye masks and steamed goggles are now available on the market. Flaxseed oil may also be prescribed as a nutritional supplement to improve quality of the meibum.
“In more severe cases, systemic antibiotics such as last-generation macrolides should be prescribed in children who have age-contraindication to cyclins. Recent studies showed efficacy of repeated treatment cycles with topical azithromycin. Topical steroids give good results for the inflammation induced by ocular rosacea but should be used with caution in children to avoid complication. In severe cases affecting the ocular surface, topical cyclosporine provides good results by its anti-inflammatory effects,” Brémond-Gignac said.
Disclosure: Brémond-Gignac has no relevant financial disclosures.
City Eyes Ophthalmic Opticians in London now offers The BlephEx ultrasonic treatment in addition to all the other innovative treatments. BlephEx is a revolutionary new treatment for blepharitis. It has been described as the first and only doctor treatment for blepharitis.
BlephEx is an in-office procedure performed directly by the eye care provider. With BlephEx, the doctor thoroughly and precisely eliminates the scurf and bacterial debris, the main causes of inflammatory lid disease
Words courtesy of:
World Ophthalmology conference report (Tokyo 2014)