Tear Function and Ocular Surface Changes in Multinodular Goiter Patients

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate preoperative and postoperative conjunctival surface changes in multinodular goiter (MNG) patients and to compare their results with healthy control subjects. Methods: Twenty MNG patients who had undergone near total thyroidectomy were evaluated pre- and postoperatively at the end of the 3rd month and the 1st year by performing tear function tests and conjunctival impression cytologic analysis. These results were compared with the results of 15 healthy volunteers. Results: When preoperative and postoperative tear function parameters were compared, the mean Schirmer test value and BUT value were decreased, the mean Rose Bengal staining score was increased during the postoperative period. These differences were statistically significant at the end of the 1st year (p < 0.001). The average goblet cell density of the MNG patients decreased significantly during the postoperative period when compared with the preoperative values (p < 0.001). All these findings of the MNG cases were significantly different from the results of the control group both before and after the operation. Conclusion: Tear function tests and the impression cytology findings of the MNG cases were statistically different from the results of the control group during the pre- and postoperative period. We recommend postoperative follow-up of these patients for ocular surface changes.

Graves' Orbitopathy Results in Profound Changes in Tear Composition: A Study of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Seven Cytokines

“…Probable involvement of the lacrimal gland as an area of immunological reaction in GO have been suggested based on octreotide scintigraphy (30,31). Impression cytology findings also underline the ocular surface changes in GO (32). According to proteomic analysis (biomarkers with a molecular weight between 3000 and 20,000 Da) the majority of tear proteins are down-regulated in GO, with only few overexpressed proteins (33).…”