Fingerprick Autologous Blood (FAB) in Mebomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

Overview

Dry eye disease remains one of the most common complaints seen in ophthalmic clinics. Causes of dry eye are multifactorial, with the most common cause of evaporative dry eye disease being meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Fingerprick autologous blood (FAB) is a novel method which uses a patient's own blood to treat dry eye conditions.

Dry eye disease remains one of the most common complaints seen in ophthalmic clinics, with one in four patients reporting symptoms of the condition (including soreness, foreign body sensation or temporary blurring of vision). Causes of dry eye are multifactorial, with the most common cause of evaporative dry eye disease being meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). A chronic, abnormality of the glands lining the eyelid. MGD results in alteration of the tear film, symptoms of eye irritation, inflammation and ocular surface disease. In those with moderate or severe disease (as defined by symptoms, clinical signs and corneal staining), anti-inflammatory therapy is recommended, with topical steroids or oral tetracyclines. However, both these treatments are accompanied by side effects; topical steroids cause increased intraocular pressure, and predispose to eye infection and cataracts, whilst tetracyclines cause skin phototoxicity. Autologous serum drops are used as a treatment for severe dry eyes by providing growth factors and anti-inflammatory mediators to the ocular surface. It is derived from the liquid component of blood, after clotting factors and blood cells have been extracted. Obtaining this carries its own problems: numerous venesections from the patient, fridge storage to prevent bacterial contamination, and individual funding request as it is expensive. The growth factors and anti-inflammatory mediators in serum are also present in whole blood; which can be obtained using a finger prick technique as in diabetics, thus bypassing the cost and storage problems associated with autologous serum. Finger prick autologous blood (FAB) has shown efficacy and safety in the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome patients and persistent corneal epithelial defects. In this study, the investigators aim to find out whether FAB is an effective alternative to long-term anti-inflammatories in the treatment of MGD. Patient's with MGD will be recruited from Moorfields Eye clinic at Bedford Hospital. The study will be conducted over 2 years.

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