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Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze ocular surface parameters and evaluate meibomian gland dysfunction using meibography in newly diagnosed patients with atopic dermatitis compared with healthy controls.
METHODS: This cross-sectional clinical study included 51 newly diagnosed patients with atopic dermatitis and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Disease severity was assessed using the Eczema Area Severity Index. The Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, Schirmer test, tear meniscus height, noninvasive tear break-up time, conjunctival redness grading, and meibography staging were performed. Meibomian gland dropout was graded for each eyelid from 0 (no loss) to 3 (loss of >2/3 of the total gland area).
RESULTS: Schirmer test values, tear meniscus height, and noninvasive tear break-up time were significantly lower in the atopic dermatitis group than in the control group (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). In contrast, Ocular Surface Disease Index scores, conjunctival redness grades, and total meiboscores were significantly higher in the atopic dermatitis group than in the control group (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Moreover, in the atopic dermatitis group, a significant positive correlation was observed between the Eczema Area Severity Index score and total meiboscore (rₛ=0.390, p=0.005), while a significant negative correlation was found between the Eczema Area Severity Index score and Schirmer test results (rₛ=−0.301, p=0.032). Conclusions: Newly diagnosed patients with atopic dermatitis exhibit significant alterations in tear film parameters and meibomian gland morphology compared with healthy individuals. These patients should be monitored for early development of dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction to prevent associated complications.

Keywords: Dermatitis, atopic; Ocular surface; Meibomian gland dysfunction; Meibography; Dry eye syndromes