Adnan Ahmad, Mubbashir Rehman, Mohammad Farhan, Hamid Rehman, Javed Rasul, Jawad Humayun.
Assessing the Therapeutic Response of Topical Azithromycin 1% in Addition to Oral Form for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Al-Shifa J Ophthalmol Jan ;17(3):128-35.

Purpose: The efficacy of topical azithromycin supplementation to systemic form has not been studied. This study evaluates the efficacy of topical azithromycin supplementation to systemic azithromycin with hot compresses, artificial tears, and lid scrubs for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: 70 patients with stage 4 meibomian gland dysfunction were enrolled in the study. The patients enrolled into the study were divided into 2 groups. Group A comprised 35 patients who received preservative free topical 1% azithromycin administered as once daily and group B comprised 35 patients who did not receive topical azithromycin. Both groups were prescribed artificial tear eye drops and systemic azithromycin along with lid hygiene measures. Fluorescein break-up time evaluation of tears (T-BUT), staining of cornea, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) symptom score, and meibum quality were assessed prior to therapy and after 04 and 12 weeks. Results: The average age of participants in group A was 51.3 +- 14.2 yrs. (15 male and 20 female) and in group B was 52.7 +- 11.3 years (14 male and 21 female). At 4- and 12-weeks post-treatment, group A achieved a level of statistical significance in all given parameters for assessment as compare to baseline (p < 0.05). While group B achieved statistically significant improvement only in OSDI score and meibum quality post therapy as compare to baseline (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There was clinical and symptomatic improvement observed in meibomian gland dysfunction with the addition of topical azithromycin to the systemic treatment.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com