AIM: To investigate the relationship between chronic epiphora and meibomianitis, and to explore the efficacy of the meibomianitis treatment to improve chronic tearing.

METHODS: One thousand chronic epiphora patients chart review in Casey eye institute during 2000-2009. Review of 206(20.6%)chronic epiphora patients who underwent slit lamp examination were diagnosed meibomianitis. Diagnostic criteria were meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, lid margin telangiectasia and hyperaemia punctuate superficial keratopathy. Treatment included maintenance of lid hygene, use of artificial tears, systemic and topical antibiotics, warm and moist compresses, topical corticosteroid and diet supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids.

RESULTS: Among all the patients, 206(20.6%)meibomianitis patients(average age 65.8 years, average tearing time 2.78 years). White patients 196(95%); female 106(51.5%), male 100(48.5%). Average follow up time was 5.07mo. 152(73.79%)of 206 meibomianitis patients with tearing got improved through treatments. 43(20.87%)patients were treated without improvement. The failure reasons cannot be found in 14(6.81%)of 43 patients. 29(14.08%)of 43 pateients with chronic epiphora do not want to treat for a long time, which cause the treatment failure. 11(5.34%)of 206 meibomianitis patients lost to follow up.

CONCLUSION: The patients who presented to our office for the tearing 20.6% had meibomianitis. Through treatment of meibomianitis, tearing improved 73.78%. So patients with meibomianitis should treat it actively. Some tearing patients after the surgery still tearing should pay attention to treat meibomianitis.