Topical diquafosol for patients with obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction

Abstract

AimsTo evaluate the effect of topical diquafosol in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) using tear film parameters and quantitatively analyse the meibomian gland morphology.Subjects and MethodsThe subjects were 19 eyes of 10 patients diagnosed with obstructive MGD. All subjects were given 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution with instructions to use one drop four times a day. Ocular symptoms were scored from 0 to 14. Lid margin abnormalities were scored from 0 to 4. Changes in the meibomian glands were scored using non-contact meibography (meiboscore). Superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) was scored from 0 to 3. Meibum was graded from 0 to 3. Tear film production was evaluated by Schirmer's test. Quantitative image analysis of the meibomian glands was performed using the original software.Results10 patients completed more than 4 months of therapy. Ocular symptoms, lid margin abnormalities, SPK score and meibum grade were decreased. Break-up time and tear film meniscus were increased. Mean ratio of the meibomian gland area was significantly increased after treatment (p<0.0001).ConclusionsQuantitative image analysis was useful for evaluating the morphological changes of the meibomian glands. Topical diquafosol therapy was effective for patients with obstructive MGD.

Expression of the P2Y2 receptor on the rat ocular surface during a 1-year rearing period

“…However, because rats do not have accessory lacrimal glands, further studies are required to determine if the Changes of P2Y 2 receptor expression 519 accessory lacrimal glands in the conjunctiva of monkeys or rabbits also express the P2Y 2 receptor. Arita et al [17] report that topical diquafosol therapy was effective inpatients with obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction. The mean area ratio of the meibomian glands of these patients was significantly increased after treatment.…”

“…Following clinical studies [9][10][11][12][13], diquafosol ophthalmic solution (DIQUAS Ò ophthalmic solution 3 %; Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) was introduced onto the market at the end of 2010 as a drug for the treatment of dry eye with a novel mechanism of action involving the stimulation of tear and mucin secretion. This ophthalmic solution is used in a wide range of age groups [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] and is also prescribed for dry eye in elderly persons.…”

Three percent diquafosol ophthalmic solution as an additional therapy to existing artificial tears with steroids for dry-eye patients with Sjögren’s syndrome

“…In addition to cases of short BUTtype dry eye, diquafosol ophthalmic solution reportedly was effective for improving the signs and symptoms in dry eye caused by a variety of risk factors such as laserassisted in situ keratomileusis, 45,46 cataract surgery, 47 and obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction. 48 The multiple modes of action of diquafosol contribute to the improvement of tear-film stability, thus resulting in effectively treating dry eye.…”

The increase of aqueous tear volume by diquafosol sodium in dry-eye patients with Sjögren’s syndrome: a pilot study

“…43 The possible mechanism of that action is that DQS ophthalmic solution increases tear-film stability, thus eliminating the vicious cycle (the core mechanism of dry eye on the ocular surface) by increasing fluid secretion, mucin secretion, and membrane-binding mucin gene expression. 13 On the ocular surface of healthy subjects evaluated by meniscometry, an AT reportedly increased fluid volume for~2 min after instillation, and sodium hyaluronate increased the fluid volume for 5 min.…”