The Effect of Artificial Tear Treatment on Central Corneal Thickness in Dry Eyes

Article Information

Title: The Effect of Artificial Tear Treatment on Central Corneal Thickness in Dry Eyes

Authors: Umair Naeem Khan, Fakhar Humayun, Saquib Naeem, Waqas Rahim Butt, Taimoor Ashraf Khan, Abdul Qadir

Journal: Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal (PAFMJ)

HEC Recognition History

Category	From	To
Y	2024-10-01	2025-12-31
Y	2023-07-01	2024-09-30
Y	2021-07-01	2022-06-30
Y	2020-07-01	2021-06-30
Y	1900-01-01	2005-06-30

Publisher: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi.

Country: Pakistan

Year: 2023

Volume: 73

Issue: Supplementary 2

Language: English

DOI: 10.51253/pafmj.v73iSUPPL-2.9927

Keywords: Artificial tearCentral corneal thicknessDry eyes

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of artificial tear treatment on central corneal thickness in patients with dry eyes coming to a tertiary care eye hospital.
Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: Tertiary Care Eye Center, Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from May to Nov 2022.
Methodology: The study included central corneal thickness of 210 eyes (n=210) of 110 patients with dry eye disease measured before and after treatment with continuous use of artificial tear drops one month apart, patients were diagnosed on the presence of symptoms such as burning, dryness, pain, irritation, grittiness followed by slit lamp examination for marginal tear meniscus(&lt;0.25mm) or absent, tear film BUT of &lt;10 seconds , Schrimer test 2 of &lt;6mm after 5 minutes and ocular surface staining score of &gt;1 with fluorescein. Central corneal thickness was measured using corneal topography (Galleli G6 Ziemer).
Results: A total of two hundred and twenty eyes of 110 individuals having dry eyes were included in our study. Median CCT before treatment with artificial tears was 522(75)µm while median CCT after 1 month treatment with artificial tears was 547(22.25)µm this showed a percentage increase of 3.79% in central corneal thickness after one month treatment with artificial tears (p-value &lt;0.001) therefore treatment with artificial tears was significantly associated with an increase in central corneal thickness in dry eye disease.
Conclusion: Central corneal thickness is substantially related to dry eyes.

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Research Objective

To evaluate the role of artificial tear treatment on central corneal thickness in patients with dry eyes.

Methodology

Quasi-experimental study involving 210 eyes of 110 patients diagnosed with dry eye disease. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured using corneal topography (Galleli G6 Ziemer) before and after one month of continuous use of artificial tear drops (sodium hyaluronate 0.2%). Dry eye diagnosis was based on symptoms and slit lamp examination findings including marginal tear meniscus, tear film breakup time (BUT), Schirmer test 2, and ocular surface staining score. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.0, with non-normally distributed data reported as median and interquartile ranges.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease"] --> B["Measure Central Corneal Thickness - Baseline"];
    B --> C["Administer Artificial Tear Treatment"];
    C --> D["Follow-up after 1 Month"];
    D --> E["Re-measure Central Corneal Thickness"];
    E --> F["Data Analysis"];
    F --> G["Conclusion: Effect of Treatment on CCT"];

Discussion

Dry eye disease is a common condition diagnosed based on symptoms and slit-lamp examination. The study found a significant relationship between dry eyes and CCT, with artificial tear treatment leading to an increase in CCT. This finding is consistent with other studies. The authors suggest that CCT measurement could be a tool to assess the response to artificial tear treatment and that dry eyes should be managed, especially in patients on anti-glaucoma medication or undergoing refractive surgery, with attention to CCT.

Key Findings

The median CCT before treatment was 522(75)µm, and after one month of artificial tear treatment, it increased to 547(22.25)µm. This represents a 3.79% increase in CCT (p-value <0.001), indicating a significant association between artificial tear treatment and an increase in central corneal thickness in dry eye disease.

Conclusion

Central corneal thickness is substantially related to dry eyes. Artificial tear treatment can lead to a significant increase in central corneal thickness in patients with dry eye disease.

Fact Check

1. Study Duration: The study was conducted from May to November 2022. (Confirmed in text)
2. Sample Size: 210 eyes of 110 patients were included. (Confirmed in text)
3. CCT Increase: Central corneal thickness increased by 3.79% after one month of treatment. (Confirmed in text)

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