These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed


  • Title: Effect of androgen deficiency on the human meibomian gland and ocular surface.
    Author: Krenzer KL, Dana MR, Ullman MD, Cermak JM, Tolls DB, Evans JE, Sullivan DA.
    Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab; 2000 Dec; 85(12):4874-82. PubMed ID: 11134156.
    Abstract:
    The purpose of this study was to determine whether the chronic use of antiandrogen medications leads to meibomian gland dysfunction, altered lipid profiles in meibomian gland secretions, decreased tear film stability, and evaporative dry eye. Subjects taking antiandrogen therapy for prostatic indications, as well as age-related controls, were asked to complete a questionnaire that assessed dry eye symptoms and then were given a complete anterior segment examination. Moreover, meibomian gland secretions were obtained from each eye and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the relative content of cholesterol, cholesterol esters, wax esters, diglycerides, triglycerides, and specific molecular species in the diglyceride fraction. Our results demonstrate that patients taking antiandrogen treatment, compared with age-related controls, had a: 1) significant increase in the frequency of appearance of tear film debris, an abnormal tear film meniscus, irregular posterior lid margins, conjunctival tarsal injection, and orifice metaplasia of the meibomian glands; 2) significant increase in the degree of ocular surface vital dye staining; 3) significant decrease in the tear film breakup time and quality of meibomian gland secretions; and 4) significant increase in the frequency of light sensitivity, painful eyes, and blurred vision. In addition, the use of antiandrogen pharmaceuticals was associated with significant changes in the relative amounts of lipids in meibomian gland secretions. Our findings indicate that chronic androgen deficiency is associated with meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]