Anterior segment alterations in fibromyalgia syndrome: a cross-sectional study on dry eye disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, and astigmatism

TL;DR

This study found that people with fibromyalgia syndrome have higher rates of eye issues like astigmatism, dry eye, and meibomian gland dysfunction compared to healthy individuals.

Contribution

The study is the first to report a significant association between fibromyalgia and anterior segment eye alterations in a cross-sectional design.

Findings

FMS patients had significantly higher rates of meibomian gland dysfunction compared to controls.

Dry eye disease was more prevalent in the FMS group than in healthy controls.

FMS patients showed a higher median astigmatism in the right eye compared to controls.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is an ongoing disorder distinguished by its multifaceted characteristics. There has been increasing interest in its ophthalmologic aspects. This study evaluated the anterior segment parameters of the eye in patients with FMS, comparing them to healthy controls. Furthermore, correlations with disease activity were analyzed. This research was structured as a cross-sectional and comparative analysis. Data was collected at a tertiary care education and research hospital from August 20, 2024, to November 15, 2024. The participants’ central corneal thickness, uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities, refraction parameters, intraocular pressure, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and dry eye disease (DED) parameters were evaluated. There were no significant differences in visual acuity, spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, and central corneal thickness between FMS and healthy controls (p > 0.05). The median astigmatism in the right eye (diopter) was − 0.50 (-8.25–0) for the FMS group and − 0.12 (-1.75–0.50) for the control group (p = 0.012). The left eye data were − 0.50 (-2–1.50) for the FMS group and 0 (-1.75–0.75) for the control group (p = 0.056). MGD was identified in 26 (36.6%) individuals in the FMS group, whereas it was identified in 3 (4.3%) participants in the control group (p < 0.001). DED was detected in 43 (60.6%) participants in the FMS group and 15 (21.4%) participants in the control group (p < 0.001). FMS patients had higher rates of astigmatism, MGD, and DED compared to healthy controls, underscoring the necessity for routine anterior segment assessments. These data suggest possible ocular involvement in FMS, which warrants further research.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00296-025-05872-w.