The efficacy of a netilmicin/dexamethasone gel combination in the treatment of posterior blepharitis in moderate-severe dry eye patients.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of netilmicin/dexamethasone combination in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated posterior blepharitis. In this prospective and controlled study were enrolled 40 patients with MGD and symptoms of dry eye disease. Two groups were established: 20 patients (group 1) received netilmicin 3 mg/ml and dexamethasone 1 mg/ml eye gel, whereas in group 2 (20 patients) received vehicle for 15 days. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 15 and 45 days, including SANDE and VARS questionnaire, non-invasive tear film breakup time (NIBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), ocular redness and meibography score. Moreover, fluorescein tear-film breakup time (TBUT), fluorescein ocular surface staining, lid margin evaluation including hyperemia, edema and meibum expressibility and quality examinations were carried out. Furthermore, intraocular pressure (IOP) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were considered as safety parameters. In group 1, at 15 and 45 days there were statistically significant changes in VARS and SANDE score (p < 0.0001) as well as lid margin parameters, TBUT and fluorescein ocular surface staining (p < 0.0001). Comparing the two groups, a significant improvement of SANDE score was observed at 15 days in group 1 as well as lid margin parameters, TBUT and fluorescein ocular surface staining at 15 and 45 days (all p < 0.0001). Netilmicin/dexamethasone combination is effective and safe to treat MGD-associated posterior blepharitis improving both symptoms and ocular surface signs.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.