Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a disease where progressive visual impairment occurs by the thickening of the Descemet’s membrane and the gradual degeneration and loss of corneal endothelial cells. This study aimed to investigate the key changes in gene expression associated with FECD and explore potential biomarkers and new therapeutic strategies for FECD. To explore the potential therapeutic targets of FECD, we downloaded the gene expression dataset GSE171830 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A total of 303 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by the limma package. The enriched Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways of DEGs mostly included the extracellular matrix organization, collagen-containing extracellular matrix, and the structural constituents of the extracellular matrix. Fifteen hub genes from the most significant module were ascertained by Cytoscape. Both collagen-containing extracellular matrix and extracellular matrix hit to ANXA1, VCAN, GPC3, TNC, IGFBP7, MATN3, and SPARCL1 genes in the GO cellular components. Among these genes, the expression of SPARCL1 was down-regulated in the FECD samples, whereas the expression of GPC3, MATN3, IGFBP7, TNC, VCAN, and ANXA1 was up-regulated in the FECD samples. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) plots showed that among the 20,937 genes, SPARCL1 played an important role in three pathways, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the TGF-beta signaling pathway, and antigen processing and presentation. The top three pathways enriched by the GPC3, MATN3, IGFBP7, TNC, VCAN, and ANXA1 genes were those for cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, TGF-beta signaling, and RIG-I-like receptor signaling. In conclusion, the DEGs identified here might assist clinicians in understanding the pathogenesis of FECD. Furthermore, these identified biomarkers might serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of FECD.

Purpose: This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light treatment (IPLT) combined with meibomian gland expression treatments(MGXT) in meibomian gland dysfunction.Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy of IPLT and MGXT in the treatment of dry eye disease (DED). The meibomian gland yielding secretion score was the primary outcome, whereas the secondary outcomes included the Meiboscore, tear breakup time in seconds, Standard Patient Evaluation for Eye Dryness and Corneal Fluorescein Staining .Results: This study consisted of 6 trials with 326 patients. Significantly greater improvement was observed in meibomian gland yielding secretion score at 1 month [MD: 13.69 (95% CI, 11.98, 15.40)] and at 3 months [MD: 11.03 (95% CI, 10.27, 11.80)], low meibomian gland yielding secretion score at 1 month [MD: 6.92 (95% CI, 5.49, 8.34)] and at 3 months MD: 6.80 (95% CI, 5.01, 8..59)], up meibomian gland yielding secretion score at 1 month [MD: 6.41 (95% CI, 4.12, 8.70)] and at 3 months [MD: 8.06 (95% CI, 5.70, 10.42)] and tear breakup time at 1 month [MD: 2.38 (95% CI, 1.83, 2.92)] and at 3 months [MD: 1.82 (95% CI, 1.48, 2.19)] in the IPL-MGX group than in the MGX group.Conclusions: IPL-MGX is safer and more efficacious as compared to the MGX alone in the treatment of patients with MGD-related dry eye. We recommend discussing the decision with the ophthalmologist for an appropriate choice.