The aim of thie study to assess tear film parameters such as tear meniscus height (TMH), tear meniscus area (TMA), and tear meniscus depth (TMD). In addition, corneal pachymetry and epithelial thickness maps in SLE patients and compared to healthy subjects of similar age and gender.
Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a relapsing and remitting autoimmune connective tissue disorder that can affect many organs such as skin, joints, kidneys, eye, and brain (1) . SLE has a global prevalence of 0.3 to 23.2 cases per 100,000. Women are more likely than men to develop the disease. Four out of the following 11 diagnostic criteria are sufficient for the diagnosis of SLE, malar rash, discoid rash, oral ulcers, non-erosive arthritis, serositis, photosensitivity, renal disorder, neurological disorder, hematological disorder, immunological disorder, and presence of antinuclear antibodies. (2,3) Ocular manifestations occur in about one third of SLE patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca being the most common manifestation which is characterized by decreased tear film aqueous layer. Scleritis, retinal vasculitis (which is often associated with CNS lupus), and papillitis are considered as the most serious ocular manifestations. (4) Corneal involvement in SLE affects the superficial epithelium, resulting in superficial punctate keratitis, which is believed to be caused by Sjögren\'s syndrome (SS). However, some cases of non-infiltrative and infiltrative peripheral ulcerative keratitis have been identified (5) . Schirmer\'s test and fluorescein breakup time test (FBUT) are two common clinical tests used to analyze tear film. (6,7) Using an in vivo, non- contact technique, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS- OCT) is now used to image the tear film, measure the lower tear film height and area, measure corneal thickness (pachymetry), and measure surface epithelial thickness. (8,9)
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
AS-OCT for SLE patients with dry eye, SLE patients without dry eye and compare them with normal subjects.
Minia university hospital
Minya, Egypt
Measurement of Tear meniscus
to measure lower tear meniscus height and area and depth with AS-OCT and comparing results between 3 groups; SLE patients with dry eye, SLE patients without dry eye and normal subjects.
Time frame: 3 months
Measurement of corneal structural changes
To measure corneal Thickness, epithelial thickness and stromal thickness using AS-OCT comparing results between 3 groups; SLE patients with dry eye, SLE patients without dry eye and normal subjects.
Time frame: 3 months
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