Evaluation of dry eye findings in patients with vitiligo

To evaluate the association of dry eye and vitiligo diseases with objective parameters and a questionnaire.

The study was conducted in 30 vitiligo patients and 31 patients with non-complicated refractory complaints. All the patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations including fluorescein break-up time (FBU), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) and Schirmer test-I. The dry eye status was evaluated by means of Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).

The groups were similar regarding the age and gender distribution. The vitiligo group had higher OSDI scores (26.1±15.9 vs 14.7±5.4, t-test, p<0.001), shorter FBU (7.8±2.9 vs 9.8±2.2, Mann Whitney U test, p=0.005) and higher CFS positivity (18/30 vs 3/31, chi-square test, p<0.001) than control group. The groups were similar regarding the Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and Schirmer test results. Fourteen (46.7%) of vitiligo patients had periocular involvement. The analysis within vitiligo patients revealed that FBU and Schirmer test were shorter in patients with periocular involvement, the OSDI scores and MGD status were similar.

Our study suggest a possible association of dry eye and vitiligo diseases. The diagnostic tools for dry eye disease are in good correlation with each other. The OSDI questionnaire seems practical for both diagnostic purposes and follow-up.