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Quantitative evaluation of ocular surface inflammation in patients with different grade of conjunctivochalasis
Eszter Fodor1, Stefano Barabino, Elisa Montaldo
1Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. fodoreszterdr@yahoo.com
Purpose:
To evaluate and compare HLA-DR expression of conjunctival epithelial cells in different grade of conjunctivochalasis (CCh).
Patients And Methods:
Thirty patients and seven healthy subjects underwent clinical examination, grading of CCh by lid-parallel conjunctival fold (LIPCOF) test, and impression cytology of the bulbar conjunctiva. HLA-DR expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Schirmer test, tear break-up time, and vital staining were also performed.
Results:
Patients who presented with mild and moderate CCh showed a similar expression of HLA-DR to normal subjects. A significant increase (p < 0.005) of HLA-DR was found in patients with severe CCh. Positive correlation was found between fluorescein staining and HLA-DR expression (r = 0.36, p = 0.009) and between lissamine-green staining and HLA-DR expression (r = 0.30, p = 0.027). Neither correlation was found between Schirmer test nor break up time and HLA-DR expression.
Conclusion:
Inflammation plays a pivotal role on the ocular surface of patients with severe CCh. Since mild and moderate CCh HLA-DR expression was similar to normal controls, we can speculate that the source of inflammation could be the presence of conjunctival folds.
