Methods for diagnosing meibomian gland dysfunction

摘要

Methods of diagnosing meibomian gland dysfunction are disclosed. The methods may be standardized and provide an accurate diagnosis of whether meibomian gland dysfunction exists. In one embodiment, a method is provided that utilizes an evaluation tool to apply a force for a preselected period of time to at least one of a plurality of meibomian glands in two or more regions of a plurality of regions of an eyelid. A grade is assigned to the at least one meibomian gland of the plurality of meibomian glands in each of the two or more regions based on any secretion that is expressed from each meibomian gland. In this manner, a plurality of meibomian gland secretion grades is obtained. The plurality of meibomian gland secretion grades is indicative of the presence of meibomian gland dysfunction.

主权项

1. A method of diagnosing meibomian gland dysfunction in an eye, comprising:
placing an evaluation tool on an outer portion of an eyelid; applying a force to at least one of a plurality of meibomian glands in each of at least two regions of a plurality of regions of the eyelid for a preselected period of time using the evaluation tool, wherein the force applied by the evaluation tool is a standard constant force that simulates forceful blinking of the eyelid; assigning a grade to the at least one of the plurality of meibomian glands in each of the at least two regions of the plurality of regions based on any secretion that is expressed from each meibomian gland to obtain a plurality of meibomian gland secretion grades indicative of a presence of meibomian gland dysfunction; and summing the plurality of meibomian gland secretion grades to obtain a total meibomian gland secretion score, wherein the total meibomian gland secretion score is indicative of the presence of meibomian gland dysfunction.