The use of reversible electroporation for meibomian gland dysfunction during systemic retinoid therapy. A case report

The article presents a clinical case of a 28-year-old female patient undergoing systemic isotretinoin therapy for acne, who developed pronounced meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye syndrome. Standard treatment with anti-inflammatory agents, tear substitutes, and eyelid massage failed to produce satisfactory results. Consequently, a decision was made to initiate reversible cold electroporation therapy using a high-frequency direct current generator on the Jett Medical OPH device. The procedure was performed as a course of three sessions spaced 7 days apart. Following treatment, significant clinical improvement was observed: eyelid hyperemia and edema decreased, meibomian secretion mobility improved, tear break-up time and lipid layer thickness increased, and the patient’s subjective symptoms markedly diminished. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score decreased from 34 to 15, and the frequency of tear substitute instillation was reduced from 20–30 times to 2 times per day. Conclusion. Application of reversible electroporation demonstrated high efficacy and safety, making it a promising treatment option for patients with ocular complications associated with systemic retinoid therapy, particularly in cases where intense pulsed light therapy is contraindicated.

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