Posters

Correlation between tear cristallization type and ocular surface damage in patients with dry eye and autoimmune diseases

Poster Details

First Author: F.Vultur ROMANIA

Co Author(s):    K. Horvath              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

to assess tear crystallization type and possible correlations with ocular surface aspects in patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases and dry eye.

Setting:

Ophthalmology Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tg-Mures, Romania

Methods:

We conducted a 3 years prospective study in which 336 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, progressive systemic sclerosis were enrolled. We used Rolando classification for tear crystallization type. SPSS 17.0 statistical software and GraphPad Prism were used for statistical analysis.

Results:

Our study included 336 patients: 65.2% suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, followed by those with mixed connective tissue disease (16.3%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (11.3%). 75% had conjunctivitis sicca, 17.9% had superficial punctuated keratitis, 5.4% had filamentous keratitis and 1.8% had corneal ulcer. Crystallization type I was noticed in 4.5%, type II in 29.5%, type III in 56.3% and type IV in 9.8%. We found statistically significant association (p=0.001) between tear crystallization type and ocular surface damages.

Conclusions:

In our study tear crystallization type III was most frequently recorded. In very severe cases tear crystallization does not occur. Tear crystallization test allows easy and quick detection of tear film alterations. Tear film instability due to alteration of the mucous layer causes severe ocular surface changes. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE