Cytomorphological assessment of the lid margin in relation to symptoms, contact lens wear and lid wiper epitheliopathy.

This study set out to explore the relationship between the lid margin cytomorphology, LWE, contact lens wear, and lens-related symptoms. Habitual, symptomatic (n = 20) and asymptomatic (n = 20) soft, rigid gas permeable (n = 18) and non-contact lens wearers (n = 19) were enrolled. LWE was graded using lissamine green and the Korb scale; subjective symptoms were assessed using the Ocular Surface Disease Index and the Contact Lens Dryness Evaluation Questionnaire. Impression cytology samples were obtained from the central upper and lower lid margins of both eyes, stained histologically to highlight keratinization and imaged using high-resolution microscopy. Samples were analyzed by a masked investigator who digitally delimited and measured the average sagittal width of the lid wiper conjunctiva and mucocutaneous junction using ImageJ. The upper lid wiper conjunctiva measured 424 ± 171 μm, 404 ± 75, 667 ± 219 and 266 ± 64 in asymptomatic soft, symptomatic soft, rigid and non-contact lens wearers, respectively. The corresponding lower lid wiper conjunctivae measured 141 ± 57 μm, 232 ± 150, 519 ± 212 and 225 ± 102, which was significantly narrower than at the upper eyelid in most cases (p < 0.05). Symptoms were not associated with lid margin changes; however, rigid lens wear and clinical LWE were associated with histologically enlarged lid wiper conjunctival areas and increased keratinization. A novel, explorator...
Source: The Ocular Surface - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Tags: Ocul Surf Source Type: research