title: Effects of oral acitretin on contrast sensitivity and tear film function: a prospective study.
abstract: The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the ocular side effects of short-term therapy with oral acitretin (1 mg/kg/day) in 24 patients with severe and recalcitrant dermatoses. Apart from the routine ophthalmological examination, the following tests were performed: break-up time of tear film for the determination of its stability, Schirmer test for the assessment of lacrimal gland function, rose bengal staining for the detection of possible ocular surface damage and contrast sensitivity test for the evaluation of visual function. No statistically significant differences could be found between the pretreatment values of the assessed parameters and those obtained after 1 and 2 months of therapy. It seems reasonable, therefore, to suggest that ocular surface integrity and tear film and visual function are not affected by short-term oral acitretin administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece. s.gartag@med.upatras.gr
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Gartaganis
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Mela
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Georgakopoulos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monastirli
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Merk
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsambaos
mesh_terms: D017255:Acitretin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D013666:Tears / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D017255:Acitretin