The ocular surface findings in alopecia areata patients: clinical parameters and impression cytology.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of alopecia areata (AA) on the ocular surface and conjunctival cytology. METHODS: A total of 48 subjects were included in the present study. Twenty-three subjects were assigned to group 1 as the patient group, and 25 healthy individuals were included in group 2 as the control group. The ocular surface examination was performed, and the right eyes of all participants were included in the analysis. Both groups underwent the following tests for evaluation of ocular surface: tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and conjunctival impression cytology (CIC). Results obtained from the tests were then analyzed and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean TBUT value was significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (4.96 ± 3.4 vs 10.52 ± 4.8 s) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of the mean Schirmer I test score (p = 0.129). The mean OSDI score was higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (15.48 ± 10.4 vs 9.61 ± 13.4), but the difference between both groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.1). The mean CIC score was statistically significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (1.65 ± 0.7 vs 0.52 ± 0.5) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that AA was correlated with significant disturbances in conjunctival cytology and the tear function.

Assessment of pupillary light reflex using dynamic pupillometry in laser-treated eyes with retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the pupillary light reflex measured with dynamic pupillometry in patients who underwent retinal laser photocoagulation due to unilateral retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: A total of 48 patients with unilateral RVO were included in the study. Thirty-four patients had undergone retinal laser photocoagulation while the remaining 14 patients that did not undergo laser treatment were observed for control purposes. Of the laser-treated eyes, 14 eyes (41.2%) had central RVO (CRVO) and 20 eyes (58.8%) had branch RVO (BRVO). Among the 14 patients with RVO without laser treatment, nine eyes (64.3%) had CRVO and five eyes (35.7%) had BRVO. Pupillary light reflexes were assessed with dynamic pupillometry (MonPackOne®; Metrovision, France). The parameters of the eyes with RVO were compared with that of fellow healthy eyes. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 65.8 ± 10.4 years and median time after photocoagulation was 25.5 months. Eyes that received laser photocoagulation had lower pupil contraction amplitude (p = 0.037), prolonged contraction latency (p = 0.027), slower contraction velocity (p = 0.043), and slower dilation velocity (p < 0.001) compared to healthy fellow eyes. Subgroup analysis revealed that eyes with CRVO had lower contraction amplitude (p = 0.013) and slower dilation velocity (p = 0.003), and eyes with BRVO had slower dilation velocity (p = 0.003). Non-laser-treated eyes with RVO revealed no significant difference in any of the pupillary light reflex parameters compared to fellow eyes. CONCLUSION: Laser-treated eyes with RVO demonstrated changes in pupillary light reflex parameters including reduced contraction amplitude, prolonged contraction latency, and slower contraction and dilation velocities measured with dynamic pupillometry.

Assessment of Ocular Surface in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical findings and ocular surface changes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: This prospective study involved 45 patients with AS (group 1) and 28 healthy subjects (group 2). Patients in group 1 were in the inactive period. The study subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. The right eyes of the subjects in each group were tested for the study including slit-lamp examination, Schirmer I test, tear break-up time (TBUT), conjunctival impression cytology (CIC), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI). Results between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The mean Schirmer I test result was found as 12.2±8 mm in group 1 and 20.3±9.9 mm in group 2 (P<0.001), whereas the mean TBUT value was found as 3.8±1.9 sec in group 1 and 10.1±4.8 sec in group 2 (P<0.001). The OSDI scores were significantly higher in group 1 (36.5±19.4) than in group 2 (9.1±12.9, P<0.001). The CIC scores were significantly higher in group 1 (2.12±0.7) than in group 2 (0.57±0.6, P<0.001). Notably, none of the patients in group 1 showed grade 0 differentiation, and none of the patients in group 2 showed grade 2 or 3 differentiation. The CIC scores were significantly higher in group 1 (2.12±0.7) than in group 2 (0.57±0.6, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Ocular surface changes, including squamous metaplasia in the bulbar conjunctiva, can be observed in patients with AS.