No quantitative synthesis was attempted for either mebiomian plugging or meibomian secretion scores and no significant changes were observed with any other outcome parameter .
Conclusion : Only the systemic antimicrobials were found to improve the clinical features of meibomian gl and dysfunction .
Varying effects of different therapeutic agents ( heat therapies , omega-3-fatty acids and castor oil ) were identified for MGD but the risk of bias pertaining to r and omization and allocation concealment was found to be associated with most of the current RCTs .
Introduction : Meibomian Gl and Dysfunction ( MGD ) is a common , often overlooked , chronic condition affecting eyes for which various therapies are being evaluated .
Considering the absence of a systematic review and meta- analysis , the present review was carried out .
The role of omega-3 dietary supplementation in blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (an AOS thesis).
PURPOSE Blepharitis and meibomian gl and dysfunction ( MGD ) are common sources of complaints from patients . To evaluate the effect on ocular symptoms , ocular findings , and serum and meibomian gl and contents , patients with blepharitis and MGD were prospect ively evaluated to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids . METHODS In a prospect i ve r and omized placebo-controlled masked trial , patients with simple obstructive MGD and blepharitis , who had discontinued all topical medications and tetracyclines  , received oral omega-3 dietary supplementation consisting of two 1000-mg capsules 3 times a day . Patients were examined every 3 months for 1 year with the Ocular Surface Disease Index ( OSDI ) objective clinical measures , including tear production and stability , ocular surface and meibomian gl and health , and biochemical plasma , red blood cell ( RBC ) , and meibum evaluation . Primary outcome measures were change in tear breakup time ( TBUT ) , meibum score , and overall OSDI score at 1 year . RESULTS At 1 year , the omega-3 group had a 36 % and 31 % reduction in their omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios in RBCs and plasma , respectively ( P = .3 ) , whereas the placebo group demonstrated no change . At 12 months , the omega-3 group had an improvement in TBUT , OSDI score , and meibum score . Changes in meibum content were observed in the omega-3 group ( P = .21 ) ; the level of meibum saturated fatty acids decreased . CONCLUSIONS This trial demonstrated a decrease in the RBC and plasma ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 in patients taking omega-3 dietary supplementation  , as compared to controls , and improvements in their overall OSDI score , TBUT , and meibum score . This is the first demonstration of an induced change in the fatty acid saturation content in meibum as a result of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids
No quantitative synthesis was attempted for either mebiomian plugging or meibomian secretion scores and no significant changes were observed with any other outcome parameter .
Conclusion : Only the systemic antimicrobials were found to improve the clinical features of meibomian gl and dysfunction .
Varying effects of different therapeutic agents ( heat therapies , omega-3-fatty acids and castor oil ) were identified for MGD but the risk of bias pertaining to r and omization and allocation concealment was found to be associated with most of the current RCTs .
Introduction : Meibomian Gl and Dysfunction ( MGD ) is a common , often overlooked , chronic condition affecting eyes for which various therapies are being evaluated .
Considering the absence of a systematic review and meta- analysis , the present review was carried out .