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Skin diseases and the dry eye
Transactions of the Ophthalmological Societies of the United Kingdom
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Oral cicatricial pemphigoid patients often have asymptomatic eye inflammation. Early ophthalmologist evaluation and treatment can prevent vision loss from this autoimmune condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Oral cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) frequently co-occurs with ocular complications.
- A significant percentage of OCP patients present with asymptomatic cicatrizing conjunctivitis, potentially leading to dry eye and blindness.
- Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) shares similar ocular findings with OCP, suggesting a potential commonality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of ophthalmological examination in OCP patients.
- To investigate the link between OCP, LABD, and cicatrizing conjunctivitis.
- To explore potential shared pathogenic pathways and therapeutic implications.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination of patients presenting to oral medicine and dermatology departments.
- Ophthalmological assessment for cicatrizing conjunctivitis.
- Direct immunofluorescence of uninvolved skin to detect IgA deposits.
Main Results:
- Over 65% of OCP patients exhibited asymptomatic cicatrizing conjunctivitis.
- Approximately 50% of adults with LABD showed conjunctivitis indistinguishable from OCP.
- Ten percent of OCP patients with exclusive mucosal involvement had linear IgA deposits.
Conclusions:
- Ophthalmological screening is crucial for early detection and management of ocular involvement in OCP.
- Shared clinical and immunopathological features suggest a common pathway in OCP and LABD.
- Understanding these connections may reveal novel therapeutic strategies for affected patients.