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Background <p>Mite-induced perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) is a common pediatric allergic condition. However, its effects on the ocular surface and meibomian gland structure and function have been inadequately investigated despite their clinical importance. This study aimed to investigate these effects in children.</p> Methods <p>This prospective case–control study enrolled and allocated 90 children with PAC and 90 age- and sex-matched healthy children to the allergy and control groups, respectively. Meibomian gland images were acquired using the Keratograph 5&#xa0;M (OCULUS Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). Key gland parameters, including average gland diameter (avGD), average gland length (avGL), average gland area (avGA), average distortion coefficient (avDC), and average gland visibility score (avGVS), were assessed using dedicated quantitative analysis software. The spherical equivalent, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), visual analog scale (VAS) score, tear meniscus height (TMH), first and average non-invasive tear break-up times (fNIBUT and avNIBUT), ocular redness score, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, and MUC5AC protein concentration in tears were recorded.</p> Results <p>The allergic group had significantly lower meibomian gland parameter values (including avGD, avGL, avGA, avDC, and avGVS) than the control group (all <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) for upper and lower eyelids. The allergic group also had significantly higher OSDI, VAS, ocular redness, and CFS scores (all <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) and significantly lower TMH, fNIBUT, avNIBUT, and tear MUC5AC concentration (all <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed distinct patterns of association for the two groups. While fundamental correlations (e.g., OSDI–VAS, fNIBUT–avNIBUT) were consistently present in both groups, significant correlations between multiple meibomian gland morphological parameters and subjective symptoms (OSDI, VAS, ocular redness) as well as tear film function (NIBUT) were confined to the allergic group.</p> Conclusions <p>Mite-induced PAC is associated with an altered ocular surface microenvironment in pediatric patients. It is characterized by reduced tear film stability and morphological abnormalities of the meibomian glands that manifest in decreased avGD, avGL, avGA, avDC, and avGVS.</p> <p><i>Trial Registration</i>: This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on December 5, 2024 (identifier: ChiCTR2400093473).</p>

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Effect of mite-induced perennial allergic conjunctivitis on the ocular surface and meibomian glands in a pediatric population

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月18日

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  • Haiyan Xie,
  • Xiaochen Xu,
  • Fangfang Yan,
  • Yanying Zhu,
  • Yuexin Chen,
  • Yukun Liu,
  • Ke Zhang,
  • Jing Wang

摘要

Background

Mite-induced perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) is a common pediatric allergic condition. However, its effects on the ocular surface and meibomian gland structure and function have been inadequately investigated despite their clinical importance. This study aimed to investigate these effects in children.

Methods

This prospective case–control study enrolled and allocated 90 children with PAC and 90 age- and sex-matched healthy children to the allergy and control groups, respectively. Meibomian gland images were acquired using the Keratograph 5 M (OCULUS Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). Key gland parameters, including average gland diameter (avGD), average gland length (avGL), average gland area (avGA), average distortion coefficient (avDC), and average gland visibility score (avGVS), were assessed using dedicated quantitative analysis software. The spherical equivalent, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), visual analog scale (VAS) score, tear meniscus height (TMH), first and average non-invasive tear break-up times (fNIBUT and avNIBUT), ocular redness score, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, and MUC5AC protein concentration in tears were recorded.

Results

The allergic group had significantly lower meibomian gland parameter values (including avGD, avGL, avGA, avDC, and avGVS) than the control group (all P < 0.001) for upper and lower eyelids. The allergic group also had significantly higher OSDI, VAS, ocular redness, and CFS scores (all P < 0.001) and significantly lower TMH, fNIBUT, avNIBUT, and tear MUC5AC concentration (all P < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed distinct patterns of association for the two groups. While fundamental correlations (e.g., OSDI–VAS, fNIBUT–avNIBUT) were consistently present in both groups, significant correlations between multiple meibomian gland morphological parameters and subjective symptoms (OSDI, VAS, ocular redness) as well as tear film function (NIBUT) were confined to the allergic group.

Conclusions

Mite-induced PAC is associated with an altered ocular surface microenvironment in pediatric patients. It is characterized by reduced tear film stability and morphological abnormalities of the meibomian glands that manifest in decreased avGD, avGL, avGA, avDC, and avGVS.

Trial Registration: This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on December 5, 2024 (identifier: ChiCTR2400093473).