The Influence Of Artificial Tears On Corneal Epithelium Mapping
Published 2024 - 42nd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PO887 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/de5f-8x13
Authors: Hagay Hayat* 1 , Shawn Sapir 1 , Daniel Serfaty 1 , Michael Friger 2 , Dua Masarwa 1 , Igor Kaiserman 3
1Barzilai University Medical Center,ashkelon,Israel, 2Faculty of health science Ben Gurion University of the Negev,Beer-Sheba,Israel;Department of epidemiology, biostatistics and community health, Ben Gurion University of the Negev,Beer-Sheba,Israel, 3Barzilai University Medical Center,ashkelon,Israel;Faculty of health science Ben Gurion University of the Negev,Beer-Sheba,Israel
Purpose
To investigate the effect of artificial tears administration on corneal epithelium mapping.
Setting
The study was conducted at the Barzilai University Medical Center, ophthalmology outpatient clinic.
Methods
In this retrospective, single-centered cross-sectional study corneal epithelial mapping was performed using optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT MS-39, CSO, Italy). Participants were administered artificial tear drops and were examined within one minute of their application. Eligible patients had at least two high-quality images taken before and after the administration of the tear drops. The measured corneal epithelial thickness (CET) in the various quadrants was compared pre-and post-tear drop administration.
Results
A total of 74 eyes from 37 patients were included. The mean age was 48.4±22.7 and most participants were males (51.3%). Following the tear drop administration, the central (p < 0.001), and inferior (p < 0.001) sectors of the cornea exhibited the most pronounced changes in corneal epithelial thickness, with the temporal, superior, and nasal quadrants showing less significant changes (p<0.001). After the administration of the artificial tear drops, the thinnest CET (p < 0.001) and the thickest CET (p < 0.001) showed a significant increase, as did the corneal topographic astigmatism and the steep corneal keratometric value (sim K-steep) (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The administration of artificial tear drops may have an impact on corneal epithelial thickness, particularly in the central and lower quadrants, as well as on the corneal keratometry and corneal astigmatism.