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Tear Osmolarity and Tear Function Changes in Patients with Acromegaly
Ceyhun Arici1, Esra Hatipoglu, Guzin Iskeleli
1Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty , Istanbul , Turkey .
Current Eye Research
|October 14, 2014
Summary
Acromegaly patients showed reduced tear film break-up time (TBUT), indicating potential dry eye disease. Tear osmolarity and Schirmer test results remained normal, suggesting meibomian gland involvement.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Dry Eye Disease Research
Background:
- Acromegaly, a condition caused by excess growth hormone, can lead to various systemic complications.
- Ophthalmologic manifestations of acromegaly are not fully understood.
- Investigating ocular surface changes in acromegaly is crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare tear osmolarity and tear function in acromegaly patients versus healthy controls.
- To identify potential ophthalmologic consequences of acromegaly.
- To assess tear film break-up time (TBUT), tear osmolarity, and Schirmer test results.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, cross-sectional study design.
- Inclusion of 59 acromegaly patients and 62 healthy controls.
- Measurements included TearLab tear osmolarity, TBUT, and Schirmer test; GH and IGF-1 levels were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Acromegaly patients exhibited a significantly lower mean TBUT (9.1 ± 3.6s) compared to controls (10.7 ± 2.9s; p=0.009).
- No statistically significant differences were observed in tear osmolarity (p=0.08) or Schirmer test results (p=0.9) between the groups.
- Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels were measured in acromegaly patients.
Conclusions:
- Acromegaly may lead to a decrease in tear film break-up time (TBUT).
- Normal tear osmolarity and Schirmer test results suggest that the observed TBUT reduction may be linked to meibomian gland dysfunction.
- Further research into the specific ocular surface impacts of acromegaly is warranted.
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