Evaluation of corneal parameters with scheimpflug imaging in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal parameters of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients by Pentacam-HR.

METHODS

Seventy RA patients and 100 control subjects were enrolled. All participants underwent Pentacam (Pentacam-HR, Oculus, Germany) evaluation. Both RA and control groups were divided into two subgroups as dry eye (DE) (Schirmer test with topical anesthesia (STA) ≤ 5 mm) and without DE (STA > 5 mm).

RESULTS

Pachymetric measurements and the mean corneal volume were significantly lower in RA group (p < 0.001). Disease duration was negatively correlated with pachymetric measurements in RA group. Pachymetric measurements and corneal volume of RA patients with DE were significantly lower than all the other subgroups. Control subgroups with or without DE were similar in pachymetric measurements and corneal volume.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that RA patients have thinner corneas compared to control subjects that may be affected by disease duration. Furthermore, coexistence of DE and RA seems to aggravate the thinning of cornea as well.