Evaluation of the relationship between rosacea cutaneous subtype and meibography findings

Acne rosacea (AR) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can cause serious ocular complications. This study was designed to evaluate dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in AR patients and to investigate the relationship between the cutaneous subtype of AR and ocular involvement. Materials and Methods: This study included 67 participants with AR and 50 healthy individuals. Patients diagnosed with 3 cutaneous subtypes were examined: erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR), papulopustular rosacea (PPR), and phymatous rosacea (PR). An ophthalmatological examination was performed that included an evaluation of lid margin alterations due to meibomian gland (MG) obstruction, Ocular Surface Disease Index assessment, tear film break-up time testing, Schirmer testing, and a corneal conjunctival fluorescein staining assessment. Meibography was used to evaluate the upper and lower lids for MG loss. Results: Findings in the AR group revealed MGD in 45.5% and DED in 28.1%. The meibomian gland loss rate (MGLR) was 38.7±16.9% and the meibomian gland loss grade (MGLG) was 1.57±0.82%. The rate of MGLR and MGLG was significantly greater in the AR group than in the control group (p