The effects of warm compress therapy on the stability of the tear film in dogs

Abstract Background Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is defined as functional abnormalities of the meibomian gland and is commonly caused by meibomian gland hyposecretion or obstruction. This results in an improper tear lipid layer which increases the tear evaporation and makes the tear film instability, leading to qualitative dry eye disease. In humans, a mainstay of the management of MGD is eyelid warming. This improves meibum secretion by melting pathologically altered meibomian lipids. While nearly ubiquitous in human medicine, there are no reports of the effects of warming therapy on the eyelids in veterinary medicine. This study is to evaluate the effect of warm compress therapy on canine tear film quality parameters. Eight systemically healthy male Beagle dogs with normal ophthalmic examinations (16 eyes) were used for this study. The temperature of the outer upper eyelid, the upper palpebral conjunctiva, and the central cornea were evaluated with an infrared thermometer, and tear film quality was assessed with meibometry and evaluation of the tear film break up time (TFBUT). These parameters were measured before and immediately following the application of the warm compress. A paired t-test was used to compare the data before and after warm compress treatment. For statistical analysis, SPSS was used and a P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results All parameters increased after warm compression. The temperature of the outer and upper palpebral eyelid, and the central cornea increased significantly, from 34.0±1.0°C to 35.3±1.0°C, from 34.2±0.8°C to 35.5±0.8°C, from 34.2±0.8°C to 35.0±0.7°C, respectively. In meibometry, the mean±SD meibomian level at the baseline was 109.0±44.1 MU, whereas after warm compress therapy, it significantly increased to 155.9±71.3MU (p<0.05). TFBUT increased from 8.9±3.0 to 10.5±2.3 seconds. Conclusions Application of warm compress to the external eyelids has a significant effects of tear film quality parameters and may be useful to improve tear film stability in dogs.