Changes in the ocular surface and tear film in patients with allergic conjunctivitis

Abstract

Allergic conjunctivitis involves inflammatory and immune mediators that affect the structure and physiology of the lacrimal functional unit. <em><strong>Objective:</strong></em> To determine the alterations in the ocular surface and tear film in patients with allergic. <em><strong>Methods:</strong></em> 3 groups of patients were studied: 20 eyes of patients with allergic conjunctivitis, 20 eyes without evident eye disease, 20 eyes with dry eye. Patients and controls attended the Optometry Clinic at the University of La Salle and signed informed consent before starting the investigation. Clinical diagnosis was made and the following tests performed: Schirmer test 2, test TBUT, biomicroscopy with fluorescein staining and rose bengal and conjunctival impression cytology. <em><strong>Results:</strong></em> 85% of patients with allergic conjunctivitis were positive for rose bengal, 50% had squamous metaplasia and 5% positive corneal fluorescein staining. Of these patients, 82.3% presented alterations in TBUT and 23.5% Schirmer test. <em><strong>Conclusions:</strong></em> The majority of allergic patients have alterations in the conjunctival epithelium and reduced quality of the tear film. Conjunctival epithelial damage in patients with allergic conjunctivitis, affects the stability of the tear film.