Conjunctival impression cytology changes induced by oral isotretinoin.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the bulbar conjunctiva using impression cytology in patients submitted to oral isotretinoin treatment.


METHODS
A prospective, cohort study was carried out in a referral ophthalmology practice at the Federal University of Paraíba and in the External Eye Disease Laboratory of the Federal University of São Paulo. Twenty-eight patients with acne vulgaris were selected. Impression cytology specimens collected from the temporal bulbar conjunctiva and the superior bulbar conjunctiva of both eyes before and after 3 months of oral isotretinoin treatment were assessed. The doses of isotretinoin varied from 0.35 to 0.88 mg . kg . d.


RESULTS
The percentage of patients in whom impression cytology results were normal was significantly lower during oral isotretinoin treatment compared to the pretreatment phase, decreasing from 75% to 43% in the temporal bulbar conjunctiva and from 100% to 82% in the superior bulbar conjunctiva. In both regions, the parameters most affected were cell-to-cell contact, nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, and goblet cell density.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral isotretinoin for the treatment of acne induces alterations in the conjunctival epithelium of a significant percentage of patients treated with the drug. These alterations are seen both in the exposed conjunctiva (temporal bulbar region) and in the unexposed conjunctiva (superior bulbar region).
de Queiroga
Isabella Bezerra Wanderley
IB
Referral Ophthalmological Clinic (CEROF), Federal University of Paraíba, Sao Paulo, Brazil. queiroga.i@ig.com.br
Antônio Vieira
Luiz
L
Barros
Jeison de Nadai
Jde N
Melo Diniz
Margareth de Fátima Formiga
Mde F
de Morais
Liana Clébia Soares Lima
LC
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin