Effect of Androgen Deficiency on the Human Meibomian Gland and Ocular Surface 1

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the chronic use of antiandrogen medications leads to meibomian gland dysfunction, altered lipid profiles in meibomian gland secretions, decreased tear film stability, and evaporative dry eye. Subjects taking antiandrogen therapy for prostatic indications, as well as age-related controls, were asked to complete a questionnaire that assessed dry eye symptoms and then were given a complete anterior segment examination. Moreover, meibomian gland secretions were obtained from each eye and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the relative content of cholesterol, cholesterol esters, wax esters, diglycerides, triglycerides, and specific molecular species in the diglyceride fraction. Our results demonstrate that patients taking antiandrogen treatment, compared with age-related controls, had a: 1) significant increase in the frequency of appearance of tear film debris, an abnormal tear film meniscus, irregular posterior lid margi...