AIM: To analyze the correlation between Meibomian gland dysfunction and the incidence of diffuse lamellar keratitis(DLK)by giving Meibomian gland dysfunction patients femtosecond laser assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK)operations and observing the occurrence of DLK clinically after operations.

METHODS: Selected 200 patients(396 eyes)who received femtosecond laser LASIK operations in Myopia Treatment Center from January 2015 to October 2015 and divided them into two groups for observation. Group A was the experimental group(MGD group)with 100 meibomian gland dysfunction patients(197 eyes). Group B was the control group(non- MGD group)with 100 patients(199 eyes)without meibomian gland dysfunction. There were no significant differences in age and gender in the two groups. Meibomian gland orifice obstruction, quality and quantity of meibomian gland secretions and palpebral margin anomalies were observed before operations and the occurrence and severity of DLK were observed on 1, 3d and 1wk after operations by using slit lamp-microscopy.

RESULTS: In MGD group, among the 100 patients(197 eyes), 15 patients(18 eyes)had DLK. The occurrence rate was 9.1%. In the 100 patients(199 eyes), 3 patients had DLK. The occurrence rate was 1.5%. The occurrence rate of DLK in MGD group was significantly higher than that in non-MGD group. There were statistically significant difference(P<0.05)in the incidence of DLK between the MGD group and non- MGD group.

CONCLUSION: The result of analysis indicated that MGD may be a potential risk factor for the occurrence of DLK after the femtosecond laser LASIK operation.