Evaluation of ocular surface epithelial and stromal thicknesses in psoriasis using anterior segment optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the epithelial and stromal thicknesses of conjunctiva and cornea in psoriatic patients with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 61 patients with psoriasis and 42 age-matched, healthy individuals were enrolled. The epithelial and stromal thicknesses of both inferotemporal bulbar conjunctiva and central cornea were measured using AS-OCT.Results: Both the Tear break-up time and Schirmer-1 test values were signi cantly lower in the psoriasis group compared with the controls (p<0.05). The epithelial thickness of conjunctiva and cornea did not differ between psoriasis and control groups. (p>0.05) The central corneal stroma was signi cantly thicker in the psoriasis group (p=0.04). PASI was positively correlated with the thickness of central cornea stroma (r=0.442, p=0.006) in the nail psoriasis group. Conclusions: Psoriasis is not associated with altered epithelial thicknesses of the cornea and conjunctiva. It is accompanied by the stromal thickening of the cornea without conjunctival stromal involvement.

Evaluation of Dry Eye, Central Corneal and Epithelial Thickness in Psoriasis Patients: Case Control Study

“…In the study, corneal epithelium was measured manually from a single focus in the central cornea. 9 In our study, the mean epithelial thickness of the central 5 mm area of the cornea was analyzed, and no significant difference was determined between the psoriasis and control groups.…”

“…12 Ersan et al reported that CCT measured with AS-OCT was significantly higher in psoriasis patients when compared to the control group. 9 As a result of these studies, it was revealed that corneal biomechanical properties were affected in various rheumatic diseases, even if no significant difference was detected in CCT. This shows us that the corneal morphology could alter without affecting the corneal thickness.…”

“…Various studies demonstrated that corneal anatomical and biomechanical properties [such as central corneal and epithelial thickness, corneal hysteresis (CH), and corneal resistance factor (CRF)] were altered in psoriasis patients. [9][10][11][12] There are few studies in the literature regarding the effects of psoriasis on the cornea. Therefore, this study was planned to evaluate the effects of psoriasis on the cornea and changes in corneal thickness.…”

Corneal Epithelial Thickness Mapping: A Major Review

“…Psoriasis has not shown an impact on ocular surface epithelial thickness. However, it may increase corneal stromal thickness [ 210 ]. CET was observed to increase in epidermolysis bullosa patients; the authors recommended using AS-OCT for corneal assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments in clinical trials [ 211 ].…”