Impression cytology and ocular surface characteristics in patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical findings, tear film functions and ocular surface changes in patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis.


METHODS
This prospective study involved 63 patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis (Group 1) and 65 control subjects (Group 2). Best-corrected visual acuity measurement, slit-lamp examination, Schirmer I test, tear film break-up time (BUT), Rose Bengal staining and conjunctival impression cytology were performed in all patients. Subjective ocular complaints were scored using an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Results between the two groups were compared.


RESULTS
In group 1, meibomitis, blepharitis and conjunctival hyperemia were seen significantly more frequently than in group 2 (p < 0.001). Impression cytology revealed grade 0 changes in 25 (39.6%) eyes, grade 1 changes in 22 (34.9%) eyes, grade 2 changes in 13 (20.6%) eyes and grade 3 changes in 3 (4.7%) eyes in group 1, whereas grade 0 changes in 48 (73.8%) eyes, grade 1 changes in 11 (16.9%) eyes and grade 2 changes in 6 (9.2%) eyes were seen in group 2 (p = 0.032). Mean goblet cell density was 795 ± 55 cells/mm(2) in group 1 and 1820 ± 100 cells/mm(2) in group 2 (p < 0.001). Mean Schirmer I and mean BUT results were statistically lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.043 and p < 0.001, respectively). Mean Rose Bengal scores and mean OSDI scores were statistically higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that patient with seborrhoeic dermatitis has decreased tear production, tear film instability and significant degeneration of the ocular surface epithelium, compared with normal subjects.
Karalezli
Aylin
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. akaralezli@yahoo.com
Borazan
Mehmet
M
Dursun
Recep
R
Kiyici
Halil
H
Kucukerdonmez
Cem
C
Akova
Yonca A
YA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012395:Rose Bengal; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult
D012395:Rose Bengal