A Cross-sectional Study of Central Corneal Thickness in Dry Eye Disease Patients in a Tertiary Centre in South India

Abstract

BACKGROUND Dry eye disease is one of the most common presentation in hospital with varied presenting complaints and which can lead to various complications. Study is done on 200 eyes diagnosed with dry eyes in a tertiary centre in South India using Schirmer; and tear break up time test. Their central corneal thickness is measured using specular microscopy. The correlation of dry eye disease and central corneal thickness is assessed. Dry eye disease diagnosed using Schirmer test showed a strong correlation with the central corneal thickness. A significant reduction in central corneal thickness was observed in dry eyes disease diagnosed with Schirmer disease. The factors affecting dryness includes inflammatory component and evaporating component. Based on my study the results of dry eyes due to inflammation of eye can be considered to have more association to the pathogenesis in relation to central corneal thickness. Inflammation decreases the eyes’ ability to produce normal tear. METHODS 200 eyes of 100 patients who presented in hospitals diagnosed with dry eye disease were included in the study. The central corneal thickness of these patients was measured and corelated with the degree of dryness using Shermer’s test and tear film break up time. RESULTS A statistical significance was observed between the inflammatory component causing dry eyes and the CCT values. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant association between the central corneal thickness and dry eye diseases. KEY WORDS Central Corneal Thickness, Schirmer’s Test, TBUT.