Assessment of Corneal Changes Associated with Topical Antiglaucoma Therapy Using in vivo Confocal Microscopy

Purpose: Ocular surface disease (OSD) is highly prevalent in eyes treated with chronic, topical antiglaucoma (A/G) therapy. The purpose of this study was to utilize in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) to evaluate the corneal morphology, including characteristics of corneal epithelial cells, presence of epithelial dendritic cells (DCs), and characteristics of subbasal nerve plexus, of eyes under topical A/G therapy versus normal eyes.Methods: Central corneal images were prospectively captured from 30 eyes of 16 patients under topical A/G therapy (>6 months) and 20 normal control eyes, using IVCM (HRT 3 RCM, Heidelberg, Germany). Demographic data were collected, as well as information on the types and duration of A/G therapy. In addition, OSD index (OSDI) score, tear film breakup time, Schirmer 1 test results, density of epithelial wing cells (WCs) and basal cells (BCs), subbasal nerve features (density, tortuosity, and reflectivity), and presence of DCs were all assessed and recorded by trained Doheny Image Reading Center graders.Results: IVCM findings of 30 glaucomatous eyes and 20 normal control eyes were analyzed. The mean OSDI score was 8.72 in controls and 32.06 in patients under A/G therapy (p = 0.002). Nerve fiber density, nerve fiber reflectivity, and BC density were all decreased in the A/G group (1,789.07 ± 785.70 μm/frame, 2.79 ± 0.83, 6,457.67 ± 692.55 cells/mm2, respectively) as compared to controls (2,815.981 ± 563.77 μm/frame, 3.52 ± 0.50, 7,854.13 ± 1,07...
Source: Ophthalmic Research - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research