Multi-parametric evaluation of ocular surface disorders during healing process of viral conjunctivitis

Purpose To evaluate the ocular surface properties in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) patients during healing process, and to detect the damage on conjunctival goblet cells. Methods Bilateral EKC patients confirmed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing were included. Firstly (Group 1) and secondly (Group 2) affected eyes were compared. Ocular surface parameters were performed at the first visit and first month. Results The study included 34 eyes of 17 patients. The mean age was 44.54 ± 16.80 (21-70) years (FM/M 20/14). The ocular findings in Groups 1 and 2 were not significant. For Groups 1 and 2, OSDI was 53.53 ± 23.01 and 35.90 ± 22.19 (p 0.03), tear osmolarity was 309.12 ± 19.38 and 297.47 ± 8.27 mOsm/µL (p 0.029), OSSS was 1.00 ± 0.79 and 0.18 ± 0.39 (p 0.001), T-BUT was 3.59 ± 2.29 and 6.00 ± 1.83 s (p 0.002), and Schirmer's 1 test was 10.94 ± 8.42 and 16.76 ± 9.05 mm (p 0.061), respectively. In Groups 1 and 2, the IC was Grade (G) 0 in 23.5% and 17.6%, G1 in 35.3% and 41.2%, and G2 in 41.2% and 41.2%, respectively. The ocular surface properties were worse in Group 1 than Group 2, and the difference was significant except for Schirmer's 1 test and IC. Conclusions Dry eye disorder is a complication of EKC and may cause a significant decrease in quality of life.