Corneal surface changes in keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Part II: The mucus component. A non-contact photomicrographic in vivo study in the human cornea.

PURPOSE: Description of mucus on the corneal surface and in the precorneal tear film in keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).

METHODS

In all, 24 patients with KCS examined with slit lamp and by non-contact photomicrography.

RESULTS

Material interpreted as mucus seemed to exist in three varieties: one optically dense, light reflecting, and with definite forms (fine threads, variously thick and long strands, sheet-like structures); one appearing as small clumps or patches of light-reflecting material adhering to the corneal surface; and one amorphous. All were present either per se, or in various combinations, with or without adherent cell debris. The mucus attached to abnormal (stainable) corneal surface cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The formed material strongly resembles formed mucus found in samples from normal conjunctival surface; the light-reflecting clumps or patches adhering to the surface are possibly of the same origin. The nature of the amorphous material is unclear. Adherence of formed mucus to the corneal surface seems to be related to the presence of abnormal (stainable) surface cells.