Ocular Manifestations of Patients with Rheumatic Disease and Dry Eye Symptom

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ocular manifestations of patients with rheumatic disease and dry eye symptom. METHODS: We analized the results of ocular examinations and complications of 78 rheumatoid disease patients who were refered for dry eye symptom from the general medicine from 1998, May to 1999, May. RESULTS: Ocular complications were seen in 47 patients (60.3%). Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was the most common ocular finding (48.7%). Other lesions were episcleritis, scleritis, peripheral corneal erosion, marginal keratitis, stromal corneal opacity, and so on. Thirty six patients (46.2%) showed sero-positivity for RA, ANA or CRP. The result was 6.87+/-4.44 mm (mean+/-standard deviation) in Schirmer test,6.64+/-2.27 sec in Tear Film Break Up Time (TBUT). Among sero-positive patients, Schirmer test was 5.46+/-4.05 mm and TBUT was 5.64+/-2.38 sec, while among sero-negatives the result was 8.21+/-4.33 mm, 7.40+/-1.89 sec respectively. It was statistically significant (P< 0.05). Schirmer test was 4.60+/-3.55 mm in RA positive, 2.50+/-1.60 mm in RA and ANA positive, 7.35+/-4.92 mm in CRP positive. TBUT was 5.57+/-2.39 sec, 4.00+/-1.31 sec, 5.69+/-2.04 sec in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular complications were increased in rheumatoid patients, especially with sero-positive for RA, ANA or CRP. The results of Schirmer test and TBUT were most decreased in patients with RA and ANA positivity.