Dry eye syndrome associated with meibomian gland dysfunction in the context of isotretinoin use: a clinical case

Introduction. Acne is a chronic, recurrent, and inflammatory skin disease that that can have significant aesthetic and psychological impacts on patients. The first-line treatment for acne is isotretinoin, which exerts systemic effect, reducing sebum production and alleviating inflammation However, one of the most common complications associated with prolonged systemic retinoid use is dry eye syndrome, linked to meibomian gland dysfunction, warranting special attention from ophthalmologists. Purpose: to present a clinical case of a patient who underwent four months of systemic isotretinoin therapy for acne and subsequently developed ocular complaints. Methods. Comprehensive ophthalmological diagnostics were conducted, including patient history, biomicroscopy, and corneal staining with fluorescein. Additional assessment included non-invasive tear film breakup time, measurement of tear meniscus height, evaluation of the lipid layer thickness of the tear film, meibography, eyelid margin photography, conjunctival hyperemia analysis, and corneal fluorescein staining. Treatment included various groups drug classes such as moisturizing drops, reparative gels, corneal protectors, and glucocorticosteroids. A therapeutic eyelid massage was also performed. Results. After three months of active therapy, the patient exhibited significant improvement, with a marked reduction in subjective complaints, no corneal epithelial defects, and an increase in tear film breakup time. Long-term symptom remission was achieved after five months of therapy. Conclusion. This case highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between ophthalmologists and dermatologists in managing patients undergoing long-term systemic retinoid therapy for acne. Comprehensive ophthal- mological assessment using specialized diagnostic methods is essential for accurately evaluating the clinical picture of ocular conditions and administering timely, multi-faceted therapy. This approach enhances patients’ quality of life and helps prevent severe complications.