This study found a link between psoriasis and MGD. Photo: www.paul-hat-schuppenflechte.de, Wikicommons. Click image to enlarge.

The autoimmune disease psoriasis has been linked to certain ocular conditions, and a new study suggests this common dermatological issue may also affect the structure of the meibomian gland, leading to MGD and dry eye.

A team of researchers from Turkey examined 50 participants with psoriasis and 50 healthy individuals. A dermatologist evaluated all participants, who were then referred for an ophthalmological exam that included meibomian gland obstruction evaluation, lid margin alteration assessment, OSDI, tear film breakup time, Schirmer test and corneal conjunctival fluorescein staining. Additionally, the patients’ upper and lower lids were evaluated for meibomian gland loss with meibography.

Compared with healthy individuals, participants with psoriasis had higher rates of MGD (28%), meibomian gland loss (29.5%), upper meiboscores (0.61±0.81), lower meiboscores (0.46±0.61) and DED (22%). The researchers also noted a strong link between MGD and psoriasis severity. Meibomian gland loss was also tied to psoriasis severity, in addition to the duration of the skin condition. In total, four of 50 patients (8%) had ocular symptoms.

Based on these findings, periodic eye exams should be performed in patients with psoriasis, especially in those who have high psoriasis area severity index scores, regardless of the presence of ocular symptoms, the authors suggested. Additionally, early diagnosis of the condition gives patients the chance to receive more timely treatment and improves their quality of life, they added.

The study is the first to evaluate MGD in psoriasis patients using meibography and their positive correlation with disease severity, the investigators said.

Kemeriz Fu, Tugrul B, Yasar E. Evaluation of ocular psoriasis with meibography. An Bras Dermatol. November 13, 2021. [Epub ahead of print].