This prospective, randomized, comparative clinical trial evaluates the effect of either oral doxycycline, oral essential fatty acid, or topical azithromycin to modify the secretions of the meibomian gland in subjects with meibomian gland dysfunction and/or dry eye disease.
Subjects with meibomian gland dysfunction undergo expression of the meibomian gland secretion prior to beginning treatment with either oral doxycycline or topical azithromycin solution. Doxycycline is dosed at 100 mg bid; topical azithromycin is delivered once per day as a 1% solution. Treatment with doxycycline is for two months; treatment with topical azithromycin is for one month. Following treatment, meibomian glands are again expressed and the lipids measured by spectroscopy (FTIR, MALDI-TOF, NMR)for characterization of structure and function. Analysis for presence of doxcycline or azithromycin is also performed. Changes in lipid parameters are correlated with clinical signs and symptoms of disease.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
31
Oral doxycycline 100mg bid
topical 1% azithromycin daily to eye
Kentucky Lions Eye Center
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Global Response to Therapy
Global Response to Therapy (itch, dryness, burning and swelling of eyes) as assessed with a questionnaire completed by the subjects. The questionnaire asked subjects to rate their improvement on a scale from 4 to 0 with 4 being resolution of symptoms and 0 being no improvement. Data reported here represent the number of eye of subjects that reported that their symptoms were resolved or improved in each eye.
Time frame: 4 weeks
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