Abstract

MATHEBULA, Solani D.  and  NTSOANE, Mologadi D.. Loss of function of the meibomian glands among HIV and AIDS individuals undergoing antiretroviral therapy. AVEH [online]. 2024, vol.83, n.1, pp.1-6. ISSN 2410-1516.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v83i1.866.

BACKGROUND: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the most encountered diseases in the clinical practice but appears to be underappreciated as it does not cause blindness. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a multifactorial and complex disorder of the ocular surface. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of the meibomian glands in individuals living with HIV and AIDS undergoing antiretroviral therapy. SETTING: The study was conducted at the antiretroviral (ARV) clinic, Mankweng Hospital. METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted with 37 HIV and AIDS participants and 20 healthy controls. All participants were assessed using the Ocular Surface Diseases Index (OSDI) score and, tear break-up time and lid margin regularity (using the slit-lamp biomicroscopy). The loss of the meibomian glands was evaluated using the Marx's line. For this study, this line represented a clinical parameter of meibomian function. RESULTS: The OSDI score was significantly higher in the HIV and AIDS group than that of the control participants (39.95 ± 18.65 and 13.00 ± 9.09, respectively, P < 0.05). The tear breakup time (TBUT) for the HIV and AIDS study group was lower than that of the control group (7.95 ± 3.54 and 9.90 ± 3.70, respectively, P < 0.05). The HIV and AIDS participants showed greater meibomian gland loss relative to the healthy controls (9.30 ± 4.97 and 5.70 ± 2.1, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The loss of eyelid meibomian glands is common in people living with HIV and AIDS in comparison with healthy controls. CONTRIBUTION: Although there is a decrease in sight-threatening complications in the era of ARVs, ocular surface disorders (OSD) are still commonly found, which may reduce the quality of life of HIV and AIDS individuals.

Keywords : AIDS; dry eye; HIV; meibomian gland; meibomian gland dysfunction; ocular surface; tear film.

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