AIM: To analyse the association between dyslipidemia and severity of meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)in a tertiary care hospital of Uttarakhand region.

METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted over a period of one year including 50 consecutive patients of MGD. Patients underwent detailed history(including Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire)and examination(including meibum quality, expressibility and numerical staining). MGD was graded according to the guidelines submitted by the International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Management in 2011. Fasting lipid profile of all the patients was done. Various parameters of lipid profile including total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low density lipoproteins(LDL), high density lipoproteins(HDL)and very low density lipoproteins(VLDL)were correlated with MGD severity. Chi-square test was done for statistical analysis(P<0.05).

RESULTS: Stage 2 MGD was the most common disease entity(60%, n=30). A significant positive correlation was noted between increasing age and severity of MGD(P=0.004). High TC(>200 mg/dL), TG(>150 mg/dL), LDL(>130 mg/dL)and VLDL(>22 mg/dL)levels had a significant positive correlation with the severity of MGD(P=0.001, 0.019, 0.001, 0.016 respectively).

CONCLUSION: Monitoring the fasting lipid levels may aid in establishing the severity of MGD and further studies may be conducted to establish the role of treatment of dyslipidemia in MGD.