Abstract

Aim: To study the effect of pulsed dose oral Azithromycin in the management of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methodology: This was a hospital-based prospective interventional study of 33 patients with refractory MGD who were previously treated topically. Oral Azithromycin 1 gram once a week for three weeks was administered in addition to topical medications used previously and followed up after three weeks. Subjective symptoms (Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness [SPEED] score), plugging and vascularity of the lid margin, tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal-conjunctival fluorescein staining score, and Schirmer test value were determined before and after treatment.

Result: 63.63% (n= 21) of subjects had symptomatic improvement at three weeks,36.36% (n=12) did not improve.

Conclusion: A shorter oral azithromycin pulsed therapy for three weeks was found to be additionally effective in the management of MGD.