J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2025 Jan;66(1):8-16. 10.3341/jkos.2025.66.1.8.

Clinical Efficacy of Rebamipide Eyedrops in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome Accompanied by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

• Jang HJ
• Moon JY
• Yoon HJ
• Yoon KC

• KMID: 2563916
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2025.66.1.8

Abstract

Purpose
To investigate the clinical efficacy of rebamipide eyedrops in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) associated with Sjögren’s syndrome.
Methods
The study included 50 patients with Sjögren’s syndrome accompanied by MGD treated with 0.05% (w/v) cyclosporine and 0.15% (w/v) sodium hyaluronate eyedrops. They were divided into two groups: 25 who added rebamipide eyedrops to their existing treatments and a control group of 25 whose treatments did not change. We evaluated the tear breakup time, the Schirmer test and conjunctival staining scores, meibomian gland quality and function, and eyelid margin irregularity before prescribing rebamipide eyedrops and 1 and 3 months after prescription. Additionally, before eyedrops use and 3 months later, meibographic scores were assessed via imaging of the meibomian gland and ocular surface disease index values also were assessed.
Results
The rebamipide group exhibited significant improvements in the tear breakup time, conjunctival staining score, and ocular surface disease index compared to before treatment (all p < 0.05). However, the Schirmer test result, meibomian gland quality and function, and eyelid margin irregularity did not differ between either groups before or after treatment. After 3 months of eyedrop use, the rebamipide group exhibited a significantly higher tear breakup time (p < 0.01) and Schirmer test score (p < 0.01) than the control group (p = 0.01), and significantly lower ocular surface disease index and conjunctival staining scores (p < 0.01).
Conclusions
Addition of rebamipide eyedrops to the conventional treatment of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome accompanied by MGD effectively improves dry eye symptoms and the ocular surface parameters.

Keyword

Meibomian gland dysfunction, Rebamipide, Sjögren syndrome