Anterior segment optical coherence tomography study of the cornea and tear film after systemic isotretinoin treatment in acne vulgaris.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the precorneal tear film, CET, and CT by AS-OCT before and after treatment by oral isotretinoin in patients of acne vulgaris (AV).

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted on 100 eyes of 100 patients of AV at the Department of Ophthalmology, Minia University, Egypt. The patients were examined five times: before the start of treatment, after one month, after three months of treatment, and then after cessation of treatment by one and three months, with measurement of the tear film (TMA, TMD, and TMH), CET, and CT using the AS-OCT.

RESULTS

Regarding tear film, there was a significant difference between the premedication TMH, TMA, and TMD and after one and three months of administration, followed by a significant improvement after cessation of treatment. Regarding corneal pachymetry, there were a significant changes in the total CT and CET after one and three months of administration, which improved after one and three months of drug cessation.

CONCLUSION

Isotretinoin treatment causes statistically significant changes in the tear film and corneal pachymetry, so clinicians should avoid performing any surgeries that require an accurate knowledge of corneal parameters at least 3 months after the cessation of treatment.