title: Central corneal thickness in patients with mild to moderate rosacea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with rosacea in comparison to a healthy control group and to investigate any correlations by using the Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), and disease severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective nonrandomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with mild to moderate rosacea (n = 51) and a group of healthy individuals (n = 51) were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were evaluated by a dermatologist; disease severity was determined and total rosacea severity score was calculated for each patient. CCT measurements were performed using ultrasonic pachymetry. Tear function tests, including Schirmer and TBUT, were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean CCT value was significantly lower in patients with rosacea than in the control group (544.91 ± 29.41 μm vs 559.40 ± 24.18 μm, p = 0.003). The mean Schirmer test value was significantly lower in patients than in controls (10.54 ± 6.09 mm vs 19.13 ± 4.24 mm, p < 0.0001), and the mean TBUT was shorter in the group with rosacea than in the controls (8.32 ± 3.50 s vs 16.67 ± 5.76 s, p < 0.0001). CCT values were found to be correlated with the Schirmer test values in the rosacea group (r = 0.33, p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with rosacea have thinner corneas, which could be attributed to the observed deteriorated tear function parameters. Candidates for corneal photoablation surgery should be evaluated regarding rosacea disease because the postoperative period could be complicated by decreased ocular wetting and corneal thinning, even in overlooked mild forms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kırıkkale University School of Medicine, Kırıkkale, Turkey. drzaferonaran@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Onaran
authors.forename: Ayşe Anıl
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Gülşah
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Usta
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Örnek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012393:Rosacea / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult