Normal Conjunctival Goblet Cell Density in Korean Measured by Impression Cytology

ABSTRACT

Conjunctival goblet cells are thought to be the main source of tear mucin, and it is believed that this mucin plays an important role on increasing the tear film stability and the wettability of the ocular surface. The measurement of the conjunctival goblet cell density is useful for the differential diagnosis among the various ocular surface diseases, and for the evaluation of the efficacy of the treatment. This method can be checked simply and rapidly, but the normal conjunctival goblet cell density in Korean has not been reported. We examined the goblet cell density in the 68 eyes (57 patients) of normal subjects using an impression cytological technique on the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva. The results were as follows 1. Normal goblet cell density was 1316.9 +/- 491.7 cells/mm2 in the inferior palpebral conjunctiva, 57.9 +/- 67.9 cells/mm2 in the superor bulbar conjunctiva. 2. There was no significant difference in goblet cell density according to sex and age ( p>0.05, t-test). 3. The goblet cell density was increased as a rise of break-up time(BUT), but was not correlated with BUT(r=0.24, 0.05). Also there was no correlation between the goblet cell density and Schirmer test value (r=-0.10, 0.09), (r=regression coefficient). It is suggested that the above findings would aid in the diagnosis of the dry eye syndrome and allow differential diagnosis among the various ocular surface diseases.