AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin aerosol fumigation combined with meibomian gland massage in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD).

METHODS: In this prospective study, 47 patients with moderate to severe MGD were treated with azithromycin aerosol fumigation combined with meibomian gland massage. The ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaire, noninvasive tear breakup time(NI-BUT), tear meniscus height and atrophic rate of meibomian glands were recorded at baseline, at 1mo after treatment, and at 3mo after treatment.

RESULTS: The OSDI was 21.43±13.14, the first NI-BUT was 9.03±6.09s, the average NI-BUT was 9.72±4.05s, and the tear meniscus height was 0.24±0.09mm after 1mo of treatment. The OSDI was 23.02±11.41, the first NI-BUT was 7.80±4.82s, the average NI-BUT was 10.25±4.78s, and the tear meniscus height was 0.24±0.09mm after 3mo of treatment. Compared with the baseline, the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.05); There was no significant difference in OSDI, first NI-BUT, average NI-BUT and tear meniscus height between 1mo after treatment and 3mo after treatment(all P>0.05). Compared with baseline, there was no significant improvement in atrophic rate of meibomian glands after 1mo of treatment and 3mo after treatment(all P>0.05). In addition, azithromycin aerosol fumigation administration was well tolerated and no adverse reactions were observed during follow-up(all P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Azithromycin aerosol fumigation combined with meibomian gland massage can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and increase first NI-BUT, average NI-BUT, tear meniscus height of patients with moderate to severe MGD.