Evaluation of the effect of Muller muscle-conjunctival resection on meibomian glands by meibography.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of upper eyelid ptosis repairwith Muller muscle-conjunctival resection on meibomian gland function and ocular surface parameters.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients who underwent ptosis repair with Muller muscle-conjunctival resection were retrospectively reviewed. Meibomian gland loss, Ocular Surface Disease Index OXFORD score, meiboscore, and noninvasive keratograph break-up time were measured preoperatively and at 1st, 3rd, and 6th months postoperatively.

Results: Noninvasive keratograph break-up time values decreased significantly at 1st and 3rd months postoperatively compared to the preoperative level, but were similar to the preoperative level at 6th months postoperatively (p<0.001 and p=0.628, respectively). Ocular surface disease index, OXFORD score, meibomian gland loss, and meiboscore values increased significantly in the 1st and 3rd postoperative months compared to the preoperative period, but these values decreased to preoperative levels in the 6th postoperative month (p<0.001 and p>0.05, respectively).

Conclusion: There is a transient deterioration in meibography findings and OSDI score in the early postoperative period afterMuller muscle-conjunctival resection. Patients undergoing Muller muscle-conjunctival resection may require topical lubricants, especially in the first 3 postoperative months.