Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
2.9
Journals
JCM
Special Issues
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Diseases
jcm-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for JCM Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Diseases

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Ophthalmology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2026 | Viewed by 1379

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Reiko Arita

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Itoh Clinic, Saitama 3370042, Japan
2. Lid and Meibomian Gland Working Group, Saitama 3370042, Japan
Interests: dry eye; meibomian glands; ocular surface; meibomian gland dysfunction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. KyoungYul Seo

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Ophthalmology, Severance Hospital, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
Interests: dry eye; meibomian gland; meibomian gland dysfunction; interferometry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a leading cause of evaporative dry eye disease and remains a key area of research and clinical interest in the field of ocular surface diseases. Advances in diagnostic imaging, such as non-contact meibography and lipid layer analysis, have enabled the more precise evaluation of meibomian gland structure and function. Moreover, recent progress in understanding the pathophysiology of MGD, including the roles of inflammation, microbial flora, and systemic factors, has contributed to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This Special Issue invites original research articles, reviews, and clinical studies focusing on all aspects of meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye disease, including epidemiology, diagnosis, underlying mechanisms, innovative treatment modalities, and emerging technologies. We welcome submissions that aim to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and management of MGD and dry eye disease, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Dr. Reiko Arita
Prof. Dr. KyoungYul Seo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • meibomian gland
  • meibomian gland dysfunction
  • dry eye disease
  • ocular surface
  • meibography
  • lipid layer
  • tear film
  • inflammation
  • therapy
  • diagnosis
  • epidemiology
  • clinical study

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 1088 KB  
Article
Evaluating Dry Eye Disease Subtypes Based on Whole-Area Lipid Layer Thickness Assessment
by Hyunmin Ahn, Young Joon Choi, Ikhyun Jun, Tae-im Kim and Kyoung Yul Seo
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(9), 3553; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15093553 - 6 May 2026
Viewed by 138
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Lipid layer thickness (LLT) is widely used to assess tear film status in dry eye disease (DED), but single-point measurements may not adequately reflect spatial lipid distribution driven by tear film dynamics. This study evaluated whether the combined assessment of inferior and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Lipid layer thickness (LLT) is widely used to assess tear film status in dry eye disease (DED), but single-point measurements may not adequately reflect spatial lipid distribution driven by tear film dynamics. This study evaluated whether the combined assessment of inferior and superior corneal LLT provides additional clinical relevance for interpreting DED subtypes. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 614 eyes of 614 patients with DED. Inferior corneal LLT (LLTinf) was measured using a tear interferometer, and superior corneal LLT (LLTsup) was graded using an LED-based slit-lamp assessment. DED parameters, including meibomian gland expressibility (MGE), meibum quality, tear meniscus height, Schirmer I test, and fluorescein tear break-up patterns, were analyzed. Results: Low LLTinf showed worse meibomian gland function, with higher MGE scores than in the high LLTinf group (1.9 ± 0.8 vs. 1.2 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). Higher LLTinf was associated with lower aqueous parameters, and aqueous deficiency was observed in 57.4% of the high LLTinf group increasing to 83.0% when LLTsup was low. Combined LLTinf–LLTsup assessment improved the prediction of aqueous deficiency compared with LLTinf alone (AUC, 0.719 vs. 0.559). Improvement for moderate-to-severe MGD was smaller (AUC 0.731 vs. 0.653). Conclusions: LLT reflects not only lipid secretion, but also aqueous-driven distribution. The combined assessment of LLTinf and LLTsup may improve the interpretation of LLT findings and provide additional insight into tear film dynamics in DED. However, its predictive performance remains moderate, suggesting that this approach is considered a complementary interpretive framework rather than a standalone diagnostic tool. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Diseases)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 819 KB  
Article
Comparison of Corneal Epithelial Thickness Profiles Between Aqueous-Deficient and Evaporative Dry Eye Disease
by Yeonwoo Jin, Sangwon Han and Sun Woong Kim
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(8), 3055; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15083055 - 16 Apr 2026
Viewed by 320
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Corneal epithelial thickness (CET) alterations reflect distinct mechanisms in aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye disease (DED) subtypes. In this study, we compare the CET profiles between patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and those with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) to elucidate the underlying [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Corneal epithelial thickness (CET) alterations reflect distinct mechanisms in aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye disease (DED) subtypes. In this study, we compare the CET profiles between patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and those with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 30 patients with SS and 30 age- and sex-matched with MGD. Assessments included corneal staining, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive breakup time, lipid layer thickness (LLT), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) CET mapping. Regional CET and superior–inferior asymmetry were compared. Results: The SS group exhibited higher corneal staining scores (2.18 ± 1.23 vs. 1.03 ± 1.18, p = 0.001) and lower TMHs (0.14 ± 0.06 vs. 0.18 ± 0.07 mm, p = 0.013), while the MGD group reported greater OSDI scores (40.39 ± 22.49 vs. 31.25 ± 22.81, p = 0.029). A significantly thinner central epithelium (p = 0.043) and localized inferior paracentral thinning (2–5 mm zone, p = 0.008) were noted in SS. Corneal staining was identified as the primary independent predictor of central and inferior CET reduction in both groups. In the MGD group, LLT was associated with the preserved inferior CET (p = 0.045) and superior–inferior thickness difference (p = 0.015). Conclusions: Distinct structural signatures are observed between DED subtypes. SS features central/inferior thinning from aqueous deficiency-mediated friction, whereas MGD shows a relatively preserved epithelial thickness influenced by LLT. Regional CET analysis may provide mechanistic insights into DED subtyping. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Diseases)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 219 KB  
Article
Marginal Eyeliner Use and Meibomian Gland Function
by Mariam Alkawally, Rachelle J. Lin, Corina van de Pol, Alan Sasai, Andrew Loc Nguyen and Jerry R. Paugh
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(7), 2616; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15072616 - 29 Mar 2026
Viewed by 432
Abstract
Background/Objectives: To investigate whether chronic cosmetics use near or directly on the eyelid margin contributes to tear film instability and meibomian gland dysfunction. Methods: Subjects were enrolled in one of three groups: those who rarely wear makeup (No-M), those who wear it frequently [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To investigate whether chronic cosmetics use near or directly on the eyelid margin contributes to tear film instability and meibomian gland dysfunction. Methods: Subjects were enrolled in one of three groups: those who rarely wear makeup (No-M), those who wear it frequently but only outside the eyelid margin (Min-M), and those who wear it frequently and directly on the eyelid margin (W-M). Subjects were assessed for dry eye signs and symptoms by a masked examiner. Lipid layer thickness (LLT), tear meniscus height, meibomian gland excreta grade, number of glands secreting, corneal and conjunctival staining and tear breakup time were assessed. Results: 10 No-M, 18 Min-M, and 21 W-M subjects completed the study. Average fluorescein breakup time was 4.6 s in each group (p = 0.839, 1-way ANOVA). There were higher scores (worse findings) in the marginal eyeliner sample for symptoms (modified Schein, OSDI, SPEED), Oxford and total NEI staining and lower lid meibomian secretions. The W-M group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the meibomian gland excreta grade (a worsening) compared to the No-M group (mean grades 1.2 and 0.55 respectively; Tukey test, adjusted p < 0.05, 95% CI 0.055–1.187). LLT, tear breakup time, eyelid marginal signs, and meibomian gland dropout had no differences among groups. Conclusions: Eyeliner wear both outside and on the eyelid margin demonstrated increased ocular staining and decreased gland excretion quality, compared to non-makeup users. The meibomian gland excreta decrement may lead to worsening meibomian gland function and potentially glandular atrophy over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Diseases)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop