ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the recovery time of tear film function and ocular surface after discontinuing systemic isotretinoin treatment. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. 34 eyes of 17 patients treated with low- dose oral isotretinoin (< 0.5 mg/kg/day) were enrolled. The modified OSDI score, tear break-up time, Schirmer test, and corneal staining were performed in all patients at baseline, during the course of treatment and after withdrawing treatment every two weeks until the result returned to baseline. RESULTS: Tear breakup time appeared to be the most sensitive and changed significantly at 2 weeks after starting treatment (p < 0.001) and returned to baseline at 4 weeks after withdrawal from treatment (p < 0.001). The Schirmer test results significantly decreased at 6 weeks and returned to baseline at 4 weeks after withdrawal from treatment (p < 0.001). OSDI scores were significantly changed at 6 weeks after treatment (81.8%) and returned to baseline at 2 weeks (54.5%) after withdrawal from treatment. No significant change was found in the MGD. Corneal staining was significantly positive 90.9% 6 weeks after starting treatment and returned to baseline 6 weeks after withdrawal from treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dry eye disease can return to baseline levels after treatment withdrawal. At least 6 weeks later, they could wear contact lenses again, and it was useful to prepare all patients requiring further ocular surgery.
