AIM: To evaluate the effect of glass rod massage combined with conventional Meibomian gland dredging for Meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD).

METHODS: Totally 130 cases(220 eyes)of MGD treated in our hospital from August 2016 to June 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The combined group(n=65, 108 eyes)were treated with glass rod massage combined with conventional Meibomian gland dredging; controlled group(n=65, 112 eyes)was given conventional therapy. The duration was 2wk.The ocular surface disease index scale(OSDI), ocular symptoms score \〖tear break-up time(BUT), Schirmer test(SⅠt), corneal fluorescein staining(CFS), limbi palpebralis scores, property of Meibomian secretion\〗, intraocular pressure, efficient rate were monitored.

RESULTS: Before treatment, the OSDI score, BUT, SⅠt, CFS, limbi palpebralis scores, property of Meibomian secretion and IOP were not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05). OSDI score, CFS, limbi palpebralis scores, property of Meibomian secretion of the combined group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.01). The post-treatment BUT and SⅠt of the combined group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.01). No significant difference was found in post-treatment IOP between the two groups, either of the two groups higher than 21mmHg(P>0.05). The total effective rate of the combined group was 92.6%(100/108), while the total effective rate of control group was 78.6%(88/112, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Glass rod massage combined with conventional Meibomian gland dredging in the treatment of MGD can effectively ameliorate the ocular surface symptoms, Meibomian secretion function, and promote tear secretion.