EVALUATION OF DRY EYE AND MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION IN CASES OF UNILATERAL BLEPHAROPTOSIS

Introduction: Dry eye is a prevalent public health issue among the geriatric population. When accompanied by blepharoptosis, it carries the potential for complications. Materials and Method: The study involved the evaluation of dry eye survey scores, dry eye tests, and the structure of meibomian glands by meibography in 25 cases of unilateral blepharoptosis. Comparisons were made between ptotic and non-ptotic eyes. In addition, measurements of levator function, palpebral fissure distance, and margin reflex distance were recorded for both ptotic and non-ptotic eyes, and the relationships between these parameters were analyzed. Results: No significant differences were found between the ptotic and nonptotic eyes in terms of tear break-uptime, Schirmer 1 test results, or meiboscores in cases of unilateral blepharoptosis. However, the non-ptotic upper eyelids showed a greater area of loss in the meibomian glands compared to the ptotic eyelids. Conclusion: In cases of unilateral blepharoptosis, while a reduction in dry eye parameters was observed bilaterally, an increase in the degree of ptosis was associated with a bilateral decrease in tear production. No significant difference was found between the ptotic and non-ptotic upper eyelids in terms of meiboscores. Blepharoptosis does not appear to cause significant alterations in the meibomian glands.