Abstract
Purpose:
To quantify changes in corneal dendritic cell (DC) density using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) before and after anti-inflammatory therapy in evaporative dry eye (EDE), and to compare these changes to symptoms and clinical signs.
Methods:
A phase IV, randomized, vehicle-controlled, double-masked, single-center clinical trial was conducted with 54 subjects clinically diagnosed with EDE that received either steroid alone (Loteprednol Etabonate 0.5%, LE, n=17), steroid with antibiotic (Loteprednol Etabonate 0.5% + Tobramycin, LE/T, n=17), or artificial tears alone (AT, n=20) for 4 weeks with quantification of central corneal DC densities on IVCM pre- and post-treatment. Sixty-two healthy reference controls were also included for comparison. Symptom severity was measured using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Clinical improvement was assessed by corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) and tear break-up time (TBUT). Both eyes of each subject were analyzed. Based on normality of datasets, parametric or non-parametric tests were applied. Correlation was determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R).
Results:
Corneal DCs increased by over five-fold in EDE (P<0.0001) with no differences between the treatment groups at baseline (P=0.59). Following treatment, DC density reduced in both the steroid-containing treatment groups, LE/T and LE (P<0.01), but not AT (P=0.44) demonstrating specificity of response. The reduction in corneal DCs was comparable between the two steroid-containing drugs (LE: 58%, LE/T: 49%, P=0.19). DC density correlated with CFS (R=0.48, P<0.0001), OSDI scores (R= 0.37, P<0.0001), and TBUT (R=-0.25, P<0.01). CFS and OSDI scores improved by 24% (P=0.03) and 11% (P=0.06) in the LE-treated group, and by 21% (P=0.06) and 15% (P=0.09) in the AT-treated group, respectively. TBUT did not improve in any of the treatment groups (P=0.14).
Conclusions:
Corneal DCs, an indicator of tissue immune response, are increased in EDE-associated ocular surface disease. Quantification of DC density in vivo allows detection of changes in the corneal immune response following anti-inflammatory therapy, providing a responsive endpoint. Given the modest but significant correlation of corneal DC density to symptoms and clinical signs, this in vivo imaging parameter may therefore serve as a surrogate biomarker of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials.