Researchers did this study to evaluate the use of infrared meibography video to visualize meibomian gland probing and correlate probe findings of intraductal space with meibography images.
Researchers reviewed the videos, and probe findings recorded 996 probed gland orifices from 38 lower lids.
Cumulative probe findings for all WGA showed 106, 21, and 12 glands with fixed, non-fixed, and NR, respectively. Lids without WGA showed increased NR/total glands probed while covers with WGAs (≥5) showed increased NR/WGA compared with surfaces with only 1–4 WGAs suggesting bimodal NR profile. Researchers successfully obtained the visualization of microtube placement for therapeutic injections and retrieval of meibum specimens.
The study concluded that for seventy-three percent of non-WGA and seventy-six percent of WGAs and proximal ducts of glands with proximal atrophy, they are probing released fixed-resistance restoring ductal integrity. NR’s bimodal profile suggests it is found with less diseased gland ducts and more advanced atrophic gland disease. Gland and ducts appeared flexible but not distendable, while periglandular tissue seemed to be spongy. Visualization of devices enables whole or localized gland therapy and meibum specimen retrieval, elegantly raising future research, therapeutic and regenerative opportunities.
Reference: https://bjo.bmj.com/content/104/12/1676
