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Corneal Epithelial Thickness in Sjogren's Disease: A Pilot Study
Brian J Nguyen1, Angela S Gupta1, Jocelyn He1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|August 6, 2024
Summary
Sjogren's disease patients show thinner superior corneal epithelium and increased variability linked to reduced tear production. Further research is needed to explore corneal epithelial thickness (CET) in ocular surface disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Science
- Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Sjogren's disease (SjD) is an autoimmune disorder affecting exocrine glands, often leading to ocular surface complications.
- Corneal epithelial thickness (CET) changes may serve as an indicator of ocular surface health in SjD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess corneal epithelial thickness (CET) in patients diagnosed with Sjogren's disease (SjD).
- To investigate the association between CET and clinical characteristics, and symptoms in SjD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of SjD patients (September 2021 - January 2022).
- Corneal epithelial thickness measured using anterior segment OCT in central and concentric zones.
- Analysis of patient demographics, Schirmer's test, serologic markers, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores.
Main Results:
- Fifteen SjD patients (100% female, mean age 58.4 years) were analyzed.
- Significantly thinner superior corneal epithelium compared to inferior epithelium (p=0.001).
- Epithelial thickness variability inversely correlated with unanesthetized Schirmer's test results (r=-0.39, p=0.005).
Conclusions:
- SjD patients exhibit significant superior versus inferior corneal epithelial thinning.
- Corneal epithelial thickness variability correlates with decreased tear production in SjD.
- Larger studies are warranted to correlate CET with objective and subjective measures of ocular surface disease.
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