Posters

Efficacy of Omega-3 fatty acids and punctal plugs in the prevention of isotretinoin-associated ocular surface disease

Poster Details

First Author: T.Elhamaky EGYPT

Co Author(s):                     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) and punctal plugs (PPs) on tear film and ocular surface parameters in patients receiving systemic isotretinoin therapy.

Setting:

This is a prospective randomized  study that included 90 patients who received  systemic isotretinoin therapy (120–150 mg/kg for at least 4- 6 months). Exclusion criteria: DED according to  the diagnostic criteria of TFOS DEWS II.

Methods:

Patients were assigned into 3 groups; O3FAs/PPs group: A soft preloaded silicone plug was inserted in the inferior punctum of both eyes and received Oral O3FAs 2 capsules twice daily total daily dose of 1040mg/day for 6 months .PPs group: A soft preloaded silicone plug was inserted in the inferior punctum of both eyes and received Oral placebo. Isotretinoin group : no intervention was done. At baseline, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months of study, Ocular surface evaluation tests were done in following order; OSDI, tear osmolarity, Schirmer’s I test, tear break- up time (TBUT), ocular surface staining score.

Results:

There are significant changes between all groups at 6 months follow-up. The ocular surface parameters were better for the PPs and O3FAs groups than the isotretinoin group. Isotretinoin group showed worsening of ocular surface parameters including a significant decrease of FTBUT and an increase of OSDI score, corneal staining score, tear osmolarity and meibomian expression score. ST1 did not show any significant changes throughout the whole study in all groups. At 6 months follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between PPs and O3FAs/PPs groups except meibomian expression score which showed a significant increase in PPs group.

Conclusions:

Concomitant use of Omega 3FAs and punctal plugs prevent indiscretion-associated OSD in our study sample.

Financial Disclosure:

None