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 .
Efficacy of topical N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.
PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of topical N-acetyl-cysteine ( NAC ) therapy in patients with meibomian gl and dysfunction ( MGD ) . METHODS Twenty patients with MGD were prospect ively r and omized and assigned into 2 groups . The patients were instructed to use either NAC 5 % or preservative-free artificial tear topically 4 times a day for a month . All patients were instructed to apply lid hygiene once daily . Preservative-free artificial tears treated group served as control . Paired sample Student 's t-tests were used to detect differences between the baseline and 1 month after treatment initiation in mean ocular symptoms , fluorescein break-up time ( FBUT ) values , and Schirmer scores in each group . Difference in mean ocular symptoms , Schirmer 's test scores , and FBUT values between the baseline and 1 month after treatment initiation were compared between the groups using Mann-Whitney U test . RESULTS One month of topical NAC therapy provided statistically significant improvements in FBUT and Schirmer scores as compared with the initial study visit . The average Schirmer increase rate was significantly better in the NAC group than in the control group . Significant improvements for the symptoms of ocular burning , foreign body sensation , and intermittent filmy or blurred vision were noted in both groups ; and only NAC-treated group showed improvement for the symptom of itching , at 1 month as compared with 1 day . NAC provided significantly better improvement in itching symptom when compared with controls . CONCLUSIONS Topical administration of NAC is thought to be effective and well tolerated in patients with MGD
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 .