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International Ophthalmology
Published in: International Ophthalmology 7/2020

01-07-2020 | Xerophthalmia | Original Paper

Conjunctival impression cytology and tear-film changes in cases with vitamin D deficiency

Authors: Seyhan Dikci, Ayşe Nur Akatlı, Tülay Yıldırım

Published in: International Ophthalmology | Issue 7/2020

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate conjunctival surface cells and tear-film functions in cases with vitamin D deficiency.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with serum vitamin D deficiency and 27 control subjects with normal serum vitamin D levels were included in this prospective study. The tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer II test, and conjunctival impression cytology tests were performed to all participants.

Results

The mean serum vitamin D levels were 10.5 ± 5.0 µl in the study group and 33.9 ± 11.7 µl in the control group (p < 0.001). The median TBUT scores were 11 s and 17 s and the median Schirmer II values were 7.5 mm and 12 mm in the study and the control groups, respectively (p = 0.003, p = 0.049). According to the Nelson staging system, 69.4% of the patients in the study group had grade 2 or 3 impression cytology, whereas 18.5% of the participants in the control group had grade 2 or 3 impression cytology (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study results showed that vitamin D deficiency may lead to dry eye causing conjunctival squamous metaplasia and loss of goblet cells on the ocular surface.
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Metadata
Title
Conjunctival impression cytology and tear-film changes in cases with vitamin D deficiency
Authors
Seyhan Dikci
Ayşe Nur Akatlı
Tülay Yıldırım
Publication date
01-07-2020
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
International Ophthalmology / Issue 7/2020
Print ISSN: 0165-5701
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2630
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-020-01336-1

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