ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical effectiveness of herbal fumigation combined with local massage in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD).

MethodsOne hundred and thirty-two eyes(66 patients) with MGD were randomly divided into the observation group and control group(66 eyes in 33 patients each group).The control group was treated with artificial tear and antibiotic eye drops, and the patients suspected by infection or grade 3 or above MGD were additionally treated with azithromycin by oral.The observation group was treated with herbal fumigation combined with meibomian gland massage based on the artificial tear and antibiotic eye drops.After 4 weeks of treatment, the ocular surface disease index(OSDI), tear film breakup time(TBUT), Schirmer I test(SIT), corneal fluorescein staining(CFS), and meibomian gland function were observed and analyzed in two groups.

ResultsThe scores of OSDI, MGD and CFS in observation group were lower than those in control group, and the scores of TBUT and SIT in observation group were higher than those in control group(P < 0.01).The difference of the clinical effectiveness between two groups was statistically significant(P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe herbal fumigation combined with local massage can improve the curative effect of MGD treatment.