1. The impact of systemic isotretinoin treatment on the tear film, meibomian glands, and corneal endothelium.
- Author
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Demir K and Uzun F
- Subjects
- Humans, Female, Male, Young Adult, Adolescent, Adult, Prospective Studies, Isotretinoin adverse effects, Isotretinoin therapeutic use, Isotretinoin administration & dosage, Endothelium, Corneal drug effects, Endothelium, Corneal pathology, Tears drug effects, Tears metabolism, Meibomian Glands drug effects, Meibomian Glands diagnostic imaging, Meibomian Glands pathology, Dermatologic Agents adverse effects, Dermatologic Agents administration & dosage, Dermatologic Agents therapeutic use, Acne Vulgaris drug therapy
- Abstract
Purpose: The study aims to investigate changes in tear function, meibomian glands and corneal endothelium in patients receiving systemic isotretinoin therapy., Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 38 eyes from 38 patients (23 females and 15 males) treated with systemic isotretinoin (0.5-1 mg/kg/day) following the diagnosis of acne vulgaris. All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination at baseline, 1st month, and third month of treatment. Subjective complaints were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Tear functions were evaluated through non-invasive tear break up time (NIBUT) and Schirmer I test. Meibomian gland (MG) changes were examined using meibography. Corneal parameters, including endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), the number of cells with a hexagonal shape (6A), average cell area (AVG), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were assessed using non-contact specular microscopy., Results: The mean age of the patients was 19.29 ± 2.83 years. Ocular surface-related discomfort, measured with OSDI scores, significantly worsened at the third month measurements compared to the pre-treatment values ( p < 0.001). In the 1st month of treatment, there was a significant decrease in NIBUT ( p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the Schirmer test results at each visit. According to the 1st and third-month analysis, there was a significant increase in MG loss compared to the pre-treatment period ( p < 0.001). ECD, CV, 6 A, AVG measurements at the first and third months showed a significant change compared to the pre-treatment values ( p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in the CCT measurements during the treatment., Conclusion: Systemic isotretinoin disrupted tear stability, caused MG loss, deterioration in corneal endothelium, and led to symptomatic complaints in patients.
- Published
- 2024
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