Efficacy of Vitamin A-containing Lubricant in Dry Eye Syndrome Evaluated by Impression Cytology

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of topical vitamin A-containing lubricant in dry eye patients. METHODS: Three hundred eyes of 150 patients with dry eye (Schirmer I test< or =10 mm, BUT< or =10 seconds) were divided into three groups. Preservative-containing artificial tears, preservative-free artificial tears, and vitamin A-containing lubricant were administrated to Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (N=50). We evaluated and checked symptom scores, tear film breakup time (tBUT), Schirmer I test results, corneal fluorescein stain scores, and impression cytology immediately and at 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Mean tBUT and goblet cell density significantly increased from 5.06+/-1.25 to 6.76+/-1.21 sec and from 125.62+/-61.52 to 192.86+/-69.38 cell/mm2, respectively, after 2 months in group 3 (P<0.05). Impression cytology grade significantly decreased from 2.14+/-0.38 to 1.67+/-0.41 after 2 months in group 3 (P<0.05). The Schirmer I test score significantly increased from 9.12+/-4.15 to 12.83+/-0.96 mm, and the corneal stain score decreased from 2.13+/-0.95 to 1.18+/-0.68 after 3 months in group 3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The improvement of symptoms and the stabilization of tear films and ocular surfaces suggested that treatment with vitamin A-containing lubricant for dry eye was effective.