Research Update
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What’s Shaping Eye Care?
Research Update#10
A blink too few : uncovering severe dry eye in Parkinson’s
Our Focus
This case report comes from a collaboration between the Shantilal Shanghvi Eye Institute, Mumbai, and the Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. The research team focuses on the link between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and eye health, specifically investigating meibomian gland loss and dry eye disease in PD patients.
What is it about?
The report describes a unique case of a 56-year-old patient with Parkinson’s disease who developed severe dry eye symptoms. Detailed eye examinations revealed a total loss of meibomian glands (which produce the oily layer of the tear film) in both upper and lower eyelids-a finding not previously reported in PD patients. The patient’s dry eye was linked to reduced blinking (a common PD symptom) and the use of medications for PD, rather than autoimmune causes. Treatment with lubricating and anti-inflammatory eye drops provided partial relief, but the gland loss was irreversible.
Why it matters
This research highlights a new and serious eye complication in Parkinson’s disease: total meibomian gland loss. Recognizing this problem is important because it can lead to severe, persistent dry eye, which affects vision and quality of life. The findings suggest that people with PD should have regular eye check-ups, including specialized imaging (meibography), to catch and manage dry eye disease early. It also urges doctors to consider the impact of PD medications on eye health and to work closely with eye specialists for better patient care.
Citation
Prajakta Dandekar & Swati Singh (13 Mar 2025): Total meibomian gland loss in Parkinson’s disease, Orbit, DOI: 10.1080/01676830.2025.2475840
