Ocular surface findings in Hallopeau-Siemens subtype of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: report of a case and literature review

PURPOSE: This article describes the clinical features and long-term changes in corneal sensitivity, tear function, and impression cytology findings in a patient with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). METHODS: The patient underwent best-corrected Landolt visual acuity measurements, slit-lamp examinations, anterior segment photography, Schirmer test with anesthesia, tear film break-up time, corneal fluorescein and Rose-Bengal staining, assessment of corneal sensitivity, and conjunctival impression cytology at the initial and final visits. RESULTS: The patient had a recurrent corneal erosion in the right eye and a painful corneal blister with extensive superficial punctuate keratopathy in the left eye, which remained refractory to treatment with patching, lubricants, and antibiotic ointments for 10 weeks. The corneal disease in both eyes responded swiftly to topical fibronectin, topical nonpreserved tears, vitamin A ointment, and therapeutic soft contact lenses. Maintenance treatment was continued with preservative-free topical tear drops and vitamin A ointment. Corneal disease did not recur in the patient during the follow-up of 29 months. The mean corneal sensitivity and tear film break-up time were decreased initially in both eyes and attained normal values with treatment. Impression cytology revealed squamous metaplasia, loss of cellular cohesion, and total absence of goblet cells before treatment, all of which were observed to be normalized at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The ocular surface disease in DEB was characterized by low corneal sensitivity, disorder of tear quality, decreased cellular cohesion, squamous metaplasia of the conjunctiva, and goblet cell loss. Close follow-up for ocular complications in DEB is essential and a pathophysiology-oriented approach to the epithelial disease may not only provide rapid healing but might prevent recurrences as well.     

Tear function and ocular surface changes in keratoconus

PURPOSE: To describe the ocular surface disorder in patients with keratoconus. DESIGN: A prospective, case-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five eyes of 38 patients with keratoconus seen at Uludag University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, from March 2000 through April 2001, and 80 eyes of 40 normal control subjects were studied. INTERVENTION: The subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal sensitivity measurements, Schirmer test, tear film breakup time (BUT), fluorescein and rose bengal staining of the ocular surface, and conjunctival impression cytology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients and control subjects were compared for corneal sensitivity, tear function, ocular surface staining parameters, goblet cell density, and squamous metaplasia grade. The relation of these parameters to the severity of keratoconus progression was also investigated. RESULTS: The mean corneal sensitivity was significantly lower in keratoconus patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.001). The BUT values were also significantly lower in the keratoconus group. Patients with keratoconus had significantly higher fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores (P < 0.001). Corneal sensitivity and tear function changes seemed to get worse with advanced stages of keratoconus. Impression cytology showed goblet cell loss and conjunctival squamous metaplasia, both of which again related to the extent of progression of keratoconus. CONCLUSIONS: The ocular surface disease in keratoconus is characterized by disorder of tear quality, squamous metaplasia, and goblet cell loss, all of which seem to relate to the extent of keratoconus progression.     

小梁切除术后远期泪膜和眼表上皮改变及其影响因素研究

目的 探讨青光眼患者小梁切除术后远期泪膜和眼表上皮的情况及其影响因素.方法 对103例(139只眼)小梁切除术后6个月以上的患者进行眼表泪膜检查和结膜印迹细胞学检查,分析术后远期薄壁滤过泡的发生率与术中使用丝裂霉素C(MMC)的关系,分析术后远期泪膜和眼表上皮改变与术中使用MMC及术后滤过泡形态的相关关系.结果 小梁切除术后患眼与正常对照组相比,泪膜破裂时间缩短,眼表活体染色增多,结膜上皮鳞状化生改变明显.高浓度MMC组术后薄壁滤过泡的发生率明显高于低浓度MMC组和空白对照组.术后远期眼表上皮杯状细胞密度(GCD)与术中MMC的使用及术后滤过泡的形态呈负相关.结论 小梁切除术后远期患眼存在干眼表现.术中使用高浓度MMC可增加术后远期薄壁滤过泡的发生率.术后远期结膜上皮杯状细胞密度的降低与MMC的使用及隆起于眼表的滤过泡有关.     

Changes of tear film and ocular surface in diabetes mellitus

This study was performed to investigate the changes of tear film and ocular surface in diabetic patients, as well as the ocular and systemic factors related to these changes. We assessed the scoring of keratoepitheliopathy, corneal sensitivity test, tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test, and conjunctival impression cytology in 94 eyes of 47 patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in 60 eyes of 30 normal subjects. The degree of keratoepitheliopathy was severe, and the corneal sensitivity, BUT, and tear secretion were significantly reduced in the diabetic patients. Conjunctival impression cytology showed a higher grade of conjunctival squamous metaplasia and lower goblet cell density in the diabetic patients. All parameters were related to the status of metabolic control, diabetic neuropathy, and stage of diabetic retinopathy. We think that diabetic patients with poor metabolic control, neuropathy, and advanced stage of retinopathy should be examined for tear film and ocular surface changes.     

Ocular surface changes in keratoconjunctivitis sicca with silicone punctum plug occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate histopathologic and clinical response to silicone plug insertion in dry eye patients. METHODS: Punctal plugs were placed in 32 eyes of 18 dry eye patients with aqueous deficiency who were on maximum medical therapy and who had Schirmer testing with topical anesthetic measuring less than 5 mm. Pre-treatment and post-treatment (6 weeks and 1 year) evaluations included temporal and inferior quadrant impression cytology examinations, Schirmer-1, BUT, corneal fluorescein and rose-bengal staining patterns and questionnaire scores. The cytology samples were graded according to the method described by Nelson. RESULTS: There was an improvement in subjective symptoms of patients 6 weeks after punctal occlusion. Corneal fluorescein and rose-bengal staining scores decreased from a mean of 5.33 +/- 1.74 to 1.37 +/- 1.48 and from 5.90 +/- 1.2 to 2.45 +/- 1.89 (p < 0.05) respectively. BUT values increased from 2.98 +/- 1.1 to 11.3 +/- 3.1 seconds (p < 0.05) at 6 weeks post-treatment. Increase in goblet cell density was observed after punctal occlusion at 6 weeks (p < 0.05) and at 1 year (p < 0.05) compared to the pre-treatment values. After occlusion, 3% of temporal specimens had Grade 0 squamous metaplasia, 63% had Grade 1, 34% had Grade 2; while 25% of inferior specimens had Grade 0, 56% had Grade 1, 19% had Grade 2 squamous metaplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Punctum plug occlusion in keratoconjunctivitis sicca provides improvement of tear film stability, ocular surface staining scores, conjunctival squamous metaplasia grades and goblet cell density. Increased ocular surface exposure to essential tear components with punctal occlusion may be important for the genesis of these changes.     

Effects of smoking on tear film and ocular surface

This study was performed to evaluate the changes of tear film and ocular surface caused by smoking. Symptom scoring, tear film break-up time (BUT), basal tear secretion test, corneal sensitivity test, keratoepitheliopathy scoring, and conjunctival impression cytology were performed in 29 smokers (58 eyes) and 26 non-smokers (52 eyes). Tear film BUT, basal tear secretion, corneal sensitivity, and squamous metaplasia were 7.71+/-2.66 sec, 6.29+/-2.85 mm, 53.69+/-5.69 mm, and 2.45+/-1.26 in smokers and 9.62+/-3.14 sec, 10.04+/-3.87 mm, 56.46+/-4.79 mm, and 1.12+/-0.83 in non-smokers, respectively (p<0.05). Symptom score, keratoepitheliopathy score, and goblet cell density were not significantly different between the two groups. Tear film BUT was shorter, basal tear secretion and corneal sensitivity were lower, and squamous metaplasia was higher in heavy smokers than in light smokers. In conclusion, smoking deteriorates the tear film and ocular surface with decreased quantity and quality of tear film, decreased corneal sensitivity, and squamous metaplasia, and this deterioration is related to the amount of smoking.     

口服降糖药和胰岛素对眼表治疗的影响（英文）

目的：描述和对比口服降糖药（OAD）和胰岛素治疗2型糖尿病患者眼表的效果。方法：在安卡拉卫生部培训和研究医院就诊的20例40眼口服降糖药患者,20例40眼胰岛素治疗患者,对照组的10例非糖尿病人作为研究对象。对所有患者进行常规眼科检查,Schirmer试验,泪膜破裂时间分析和结膜印迹细胞学分析.比较三组的泪液功能参数,杯状细胞密度和鳞状上皮化生等级。记录视网膜病变及眼表疾病之间的关系。结果：口服降糖药患者泪膜破裂时间值明显低于其他组（P〈0.05）。三组的杯状细胞密度和鳞状上皮化生等级相近。上皮细胞稍大,呈现更多的多边形的眼的中位数级为1级,并且嗜酸性染色胞浆和杯状细胞数量减少。视网膜病变与眼表疾病不相关。结论：口服降糖药患者的角膜前泪膜稳定性比其他组差。各组的印迹细胞学分析结果相似。     

Ocular surface changes after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy

PURPOSE: To study the ocular surface disorder in patients with Avellino, granular, and lattice dystrophy, band keratopathy, and corneal leukoma before and after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy. DESIGN: A prospective case-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 45 eyes of 33 patients with superficial corneal opacities seen at Kobe Kaisei Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, and 40 eyes of 20 normal control subjects were studied. INTERVENTION: The subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal sensitivity measurements, tear film break up time (BUT), Schirmer test, tear film lipid layer interferometry, and conjunctival impression cytology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients and the control subjects were compared for prephototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) tear function parameters, tear film lipid layer interferometry grade, goblet cell density, and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grade. Alterations of these parameters within 3 months after PTK were also looked for. RESULTS: The average pre-PTK corneal sensitivity and tear film break up time were lower in patients compared with control subjects before PTK. Tear film lipid layer interferometry grade and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grades were higher in the patients than the controls before PTK. All these parameters improved gradually and significantly after PTK. Goblet cell density was significantly lower in the patients compared with controls before PTK. Schirmer test results and goblet cell density did not show any significant alterations after PTK. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent improvements in corneal sensitivity, tear film break up time, lipid layer interference grades, and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grades all point to the favorable effects of PTK on the ocular surface by improving the stability of the tear film and ocular surface health through attainment of a regular corneal surface and probably inducing qualitatively/quantitatively better mucin production by a healthier epithelium after PTK.     

口服降糖药和胰岛素对眼表治疗的影响

目的:描述和对比口服降糖药(OAD)和胰岛素治疗2型糖尿病患者眼表的效果。方法:在安卡拉卫生部培训和研究医院就诊的20例40眼口服降糖药患者,20例40眼胰岛素治疗患者,对照组的10例非糖尿病人作为研究对象。对所有患者进行常规眼科检查,Schirmer试验,泪膜破裂时间分析和结膜印迹细胞学分析.比较三组的泪液功能参数,杯状细胞密度和鳞状上皮化生等级。记录视网膜病变及眼表疾病之间的关系。结果:口服降糖药患者泪膜破裂时间值明显低于其他组(P<0.05)。三组的杯状细胞密度和鳞状上皮化生等级相近。上皮细胞稍大,呈现更多的多边形的眼的中位数级为1级,并且嗜酸性染色胞浆和杯状细胞数量减少。视网膜病变与眼表疾病不相关。结论:口服降糖药患者的角膜前泪膜稳定性比其他组差。各组的印迹细胞学分析结果相似。     

Tear function and ocular surface changes in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE: To describe the ocular surface disorder in patients with diabetes. DESIGN: A prospective, case-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-eight eyes of 50 noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients seen at the Department of Ophthalmology, Kobe University School of Medicine, from September 1998 through February 1999, and 40 eyes of 20 healthy control individuals were studied. INTERVENTION: All subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal sensitivity measurements, Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT) analysis, and conjunctival impression cytologic analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients and control subjects were compared for corneal sensitivity, tear function parameters, goblet cell density, and squamous metaplasia grade. The relation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, metabolic control, duration of disease, and status of retinopathy to the ocular surface disorder was also noted. RESULTS: The mean corneal sensitivity was significantly lower in diabetic patients, diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy, and poorly controlled diabetes compared with control subjects (P < 0.001). The BUT and Schirmer test values were also significantly lower in the diabetic group, in patients with peripheral neuropathy and poor metabolic control. Impression cytologic analysis showed goblet cell loss and conjunctival squamous metaplasia, both of which again related to peripheral neuropathy, poor diabetic control, and decreased corneal sensitivity. The examined parameters did not relate to duration of disease or status of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: The ocular surface disease in diabetes is characterized by a disorder of tear quantity and quality, squamous metaplasia, and goblet cell loss, all of which seem to evolve in close proximity to the status of metabolic control and peripheral neuropathy.     

Ocular surface disorders and tear function changes in patients with chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND: Ocular surface changes, mainly squamous metaplasia of the conjunctival epithelium and corneoconjunctival calcification of unknown etiology, may develop in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. An association between squamous metaplasia and corneoconjunctival calcification has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between ocular surface disorders and tear function changes in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, 42 patients with chronic renal failure and 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects underwent full ophthalmologic examination, tear function tests (including Schirmer's test, tear film break-up time [BUT] test and rose bengal staining) and impression cytology to determine the degree of conjunctival squamous metaplasia. They also responded to a questionnaire regarding subjective ocular complaints. Corneoconjunctival calcification was graded on a scale of 0 to 5 according to the system proposed by Porter and Crombie. Impression cytology samples were graded on scale of 0 to 3 according to the Nelson classification. The relation between ocular surface disorders and tear function changes was evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 42 patients, 12 (28%) had grade 0 calcification, 10 (24%) had grade 1, 14 (33%) had grade 2, and 6 (14%) had grade 3 or higher. Four patients (10%) had grade 0 squamous metaplasia, 22 (52%) had grade 1, 12 (28%) had grade 2, and 4 (10%) had grade 3. The difference between the patient and control subjects in squamous metaplasia grades and corneoconjunctival calcification grades was statistically significant (p < 0.001 and p = 0.022 respectively). Abnormal tear film BUT (p = 0.002) and abnormal rose bengal staining (p = 0.023) were significantly more frequent in the patient group than in the control group. The grade of conjunctival squamous metaplasia was correlated with abnormal rose bengal staining (tau = 0.79, p < 0.001) and with the existence of subjective ocular complaints (tau = 0.32, p = 0.026). There was no correlation between corneoconjunctival calcification and tear function changes. INTERPRETATION: Abnormal rose bengal staining and the presence of subjective ocular complaints may be used as follow-up criteria for ocular surface disorders in patients with chronic renal failure regularly undergoing hemodialysis.     

Ocular surface and MUC5AC alterations in atopic patients with corneal shield ulcers

PURPOSE: To describe MUC5AC alterations and the ocular surface disorder in atopic patients with or without corneal ulcers. METHODS: Atopic patients' eyes were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of corneal ulceration. The subjects underwent corneal sensitivity measurements, Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining of the ocular surface and conjunctival impression cytology and brush cytology. Impression cytology samples underwent PAS and immunohistochemical staining for MUC5AC. Brush cytology specimens underwent evaluation for inflammatory cell expression and quantitative real-time PCR for MUC5AC mRNA expression. The differences related to the tear function and ocular surface examination parameters between patients with and without corneal ulceration and healthy control subjects were studied. In addition, the differences of the study parameters related to ocular surface epithelial health and inflammatory status between patient eyes with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) were investigated. RESULTS: The mean corneal sensitivity and BUT values were significantly lower in atopic patients with corneal ulcers, compared to patients without ulcers and controls (p < 0.001). Brush cytology specimens from patients with corneal ulcers revealed significantly higher expression of inflammatory cells compared to patients without ulcers and controls (p < 0.001). Impression cytology samples from eyes with corneal ulcers showed significant squamous metaplasia and reduction in goblet cell density compared to eyes without ulcers and eyes of control subjects. The mean squamous metaplasia grade was significantly higher in eyes with AKC compared to eyes with VKC (p < 0.02). The mean goblet cell density was significantly lower in eyes with AKC compared to eyes with VKC (p < 0.01). Specimens from eyes with corneal ulcers showed PAS positive mucin pickup and did not stain positive for MUC5AC. MUC5AC mRNA expression was significantly lower in eyes with corneal ulcers compared to eyes without ulcers and eyes of control subjects. MUC5AC mRNA expression was also significantly lower in eyes with AKC compared to eyes with VKC. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular surface inflammation, tear film instability, and decreased conjunctival MUC5AC mRNA expression were thought to be important in the pathogenesis of noninfectious corneal shield ulcers in atopic ocular surface disease.     

Alteration of the ocular surface with recurrence of granular/avellino corneal dystrophy after phototherapeutic keratectomy: report of five cases and literature review

PURPOSE: To study the changes in ocular surface findings with recurrence after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in patients with Avellino and granular dystrophy. DESIGN: Observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five eyes of five patients with recurrent granular/Avellino corneal dystrophy after PTK seen at Kobe Kaisei Hospital were studied. INTERVENTION: The patients underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal sensitivity measurements, tear film breakup time (BUT), Schirmer test, tear film lipid layer interferometry, and conjunctival impression cytology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The alterations of clinical features, tear function, and conjunctival impression cytology parameters with a recurrence after PTK were investigated. RESULTS: The average pre-PTK corneal sensitivity and tear film breakup time were low in all five patients. Tear film lipid layer interferometry grade and conjunctival squamous metaplasia displayed higher grades before PTK. All of these parameters improved gradually after PTK and were maintained until a recurrence, which was associated with further worsening of the corneal sensitivity, tear function, and impression cytology parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Although PTK improves the ocular surface health in granular/Avellino corneal dystrophies, recurrence of the initial dystrophy is associated with decline of the ocular surface health parameters. Our findings also suggest that corneal epithelium is most probably involved in the recurrence of the disease process in Avellino/granular corneal dystrophy.     

翼状胬肉的眼表改变

目的　研究翼状胬肉对眼表功能的影响 ,为临床诊治提供理论依据。方法　选取 2 0 0 4年 7月～ 2 0 0 4年 9月在我院眼科就诊的单眼原发性翼状胬肉患者 36例。以翼状胬肉眼为病例组 ,另一只眼为正常对照组。分别对两眼依次行SchirmerI试验、BUT检查、结膜印迹细胞学检查。比较两组间差异。并行相关性检验 ,探讨它们间的联系。结果　病例组的SchirmerI试验与对照组差异无统计学意义 (P >0 . 0 5) ,BUT较对照组显著缩短 (P <0. 0 5) ,结膜鳞状化生级别较对照组显著增加(P <0 . 0 5) ,以 1级和 2级化生为主 ,并可见采集标本时获取的细胞数量较少。结膜鳞状化生级别与BUT值存在负相关 (P <0 .0 5)。结论　翼状胬肉对泪液分泌无明显影响 ,使泪膜破裂时间缩短。翼状胬肉表面结膜鳞状上皮化生。     

Tear function and ocular surface after muller muscle- conjunctival resection

Muller muscle-conjunctival resection (MCR) is a surgical technique to correct mild and moderate ptosis. In this study, tear function tests and ocular surface are evaluated in patients who underwent unilateral surgery. Sixteen patients with normal preoperative tear function who underwent unilateral MCR were evaluated prospectively. The fellow eyes of the patients were taken as the control group. A dry eye assessment questionnaire, Schirmer testing, tear film break-up time, fluorescein stain, Rose-Bengal stain, and conjunctival impression cytology were used to assess the tear film functions and ocular surface changes in the operated and non-operated eyes. There was no statistically significant difference in the tear function tests and goblet cell densities between the operated and non-operated eyes. The results indicate that an MCR procedure has no apparent effect on tear function tests and goblet cell density in patients with normal preoperative tear function.     

干眼症和前睑缘炎及季节性过敏性结膜炎中三种检测方法结果的比较

目的:比较三组临床患者和对照组患者的泪液功能测试,眼表染色以及结膜印象细胞学检测的结果。方法:这是一个单中心,前瞻性,双盲,随机对照试验。研究包括泪液分泌分数小于10mm和泪膜破裂时间(TBUT)小于10s的20例干眼症患者,有干燥和结痂睫毛的20例前睑缘炎患者,上眼睑睑板结膜乳头肥大的20例季节性过敏性结膜炎患者和20例对照组患者。比较泪液分泌的分数,泪膜破裂时间,眼表染色(牛津分级方案),杯状细胞密度(尼尔森分级方案评估所有患者的印象细胞学和化生分数)。结果:三组患者和对照组患者在泪液功能测试结果,眼表染色评分,杯状细胞密度和化生分数上有显著差异(P<0.001)。结论:结果证明这三种疾病的炎症反应造成严重眼表损害,并在局部产生炎症。这种损伤产生非常严重的影响,尤其是对结膜杯状细胞密度和化生。杯状细胞损伤程度与临床研究结果有关联。     

Study of tear function and the conjunctival surface in diabetic patients

ObjectivesThis study was performed to investigate whether different grades of diabetic retinopathy correlate with tear and ocular surface function in diabetic patients without subjective symptoms of dry eye.MethodsA total of 129 eyes of 72 patients without dry eye, assessed using McMonnies questionnaire were recruited to the study. The tear film and ocular surface were evaluated using the Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and lissamine green staining test, and conjunctival impression cytology. The results were analysed.ResultsA normal Schirmer test and BUT was obtained in 51 and 67% of the eyes of diabetics patients, respectively. Fluorescein and lissamine green staining were negative in 81 and 95% of the eyes. The area and density of goblet cells was 580.46 ± 370 μm² and 235.58 ± 109.03 goblets cell/mm², respectively.ConclusionsDiabetic retinopathy patients without subjective symptoms of dry eye and normal Schirmer and BUT test showed pathological grades of squamous metaplasia.     

Short term effects of topical cyclosporine and viscoelastic on the ocular surfaces in patients with dry eye

PURPOSE: To compare the short term effects of topical 0.05% cyclosporine (CsA) and a mixture of 0.08% chondroitin sulfate and 0.06% sodium hyaluronate (CS-HA) on dry eye ocular surfaces. METHODS: 36 patients with moderate to severe dry eye (5 mm/5 min or less with Schirmer's test or tear break up time (BUT) less than 6 seconds), were treated with topical application of CS-HA on one eye and CsA on the other 4 times a day for 6-8 weeks. BUT, Schirmer's test without anesthesia, and conjunctival impression cytology (CIC; goblet cell density, nucleus to cytoplasmic ratio, and epithelial cell morphology) were evaluated and compared between eyes before and after treatment (repeated measurement of ANOVA). RESULTS: After treatment, BUT and tear wettings were significantly prolonged in each group. Topical CsA treated eyes had greater increase in BUT (p=0.026); there was no significant difference in tear wetting (p=0.132). While the 3 parameters of CIC improved in both groups, goblet cell density was significantly higher in eyes treated with CsA (p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: While both CS-HA and 0.05% CsA eyedrops improve ocular surfaces, topical CsA may have a better effect on enhancing tear film stability and goblet cell density.     

Analyse der okulären Oberfläche nach Protonenbestrahlung bei malignem Melanom der Bindehaut

BACKGROUND: In cases of large, diffuse or multilocular growth pattern of conjunctival melanoma, proton beam irradiation can serve as an alternative therapy to exenteration. In extended tumours, ocular surface problems can result after therapy. In this study we examined ocular surface integrity of ten patients who underwent proton beam radiation between 1996 and 2002. METHODS: The patients were examined during their follow-up. Eight of the ten cases who underwent proton radiotherapy were recurrent tumours, which were previously treated with other adjuvant therapies. We performed a standard ophthalmological examination and detailed tear film diagnostics. RESULTS: The follow-up was 17-87 months (mean: 40.9+/-20.1). In six cases more than 50% of the upper and lower eyelids were included in the radiation field. All of these cases showed moderate to severe sicca symptoms. The impression cytology revealed squamous metaplasia of conjunctival cells in nine of ten cases. CONCLUSIONS: Squamous metaplasia of conjunctival epithelia indicates a radiogenic, persisting disturbance of differentiation of the conjunctival epithelial cells. The tear film instability correlates with the loss of mucin-secreting goblet cells and meibomian gland dysfunction.     

Staging of conjunctival squamous metaplasia by impression cytology

We modified the conventional impression cytology technique for conjunctival study by designing a 24-well Teflon sample holder, using cellulose acetate paper cut in an asymmetrical shape, and introducing Gill's modified Papanicolaou stain. Using this modified technique, we studied 35 normal subjects and 67 patients with various ocular surface disorders, 42 of whom were later found to have squamous metaplasia. Six different cytological stages were defined based on changes of goblet cell density, nucleus, and cytoplasm, encompassing three major steps: (1) loss of goblet cells, (2) increase of cellular stratification or enlargement of superficial cells, and (3) keratinization. This staging system allowed us to correlate pathological changes with clinical findings, and to investigate the action mechanism of squamous metaplasia of conjunctival epithelium. This modified impression cytology technique may help increase understanding of various ocular surface disorders.