Conjunctival Impression Cytology and Dry Eye in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare signs of dry eye between ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and healthy subjects.

METHODS

Fifteen patients with UC (group 1) and 15 healthy subjects (group 2) were enrolled in this study. Tear volume measurement, Schirmer-I test with no anesthetic, tear break-up time, and conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) were evaluated in both groups.

RESULTS

Patients with UC showed lower tear volumes when compared with healthy subjects (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in distribution of CIC grades between groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05). Tear break-up time and Schirmer-I measurements were significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 2 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that UC is associated with demonstrable disturbances in tear function and conjunctival cytology.