TOXIC EFFECTS OF SYSTEMIC RETINOIDS ON MEIBOMIAN GLANDS

Systemic use of retinoids is common in the treatment of various dermat ological disorders. Blepharitis and conjunctivitis have been reported in 20-45% of the patients following systemic treatment with 13-cis-ret inoic acid. Our purpose was to study the histopathological changes in the eyelids caused by long-term systemic treatment of female New Zeala nd rabbits with isotretinoin (2 mg/kg) and etretinate (2 mg/kg). The h istopathological evaluation showed degenerative changes in the meibomi an gland acini, leading to cell necrosis and a decrease in the basaloi d cells lining the acini walls. No evidence of acute or chronic inflam matory reaction was noted.