Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare signs and symptoms of blepharitis in contact lenses users versus non contact lenses users in refractive surgery candidates.
Methods: :
101 consecutive patients underwent pre laser surgery examination by the first author. Blepharitis signs, such as: inflamed, irregular and ulcerated margins, telangiectasia, whitish froth, eyelash loss, lashes crusted, conjunctival hyperemia, papillary or follicular reactions, corneal neovascularization, scars and SPKs, and symptoms such as: irritation, itching, burning, foreign body sensation or dryness, and blurring of vision were evaluated and scored (on basis of 0-3). Schirmer test was evaluated. Patients using contact lenses (group 1= 59 patients) were compared to non contact lenses users (group 2= 42 patients). Statistical analysis was performed with JMP statistical discovery software 7.0 (SAS, Carry, NC). "Total signs", "total symptoms" and "total score" of both groups were compared.
Results: :
Between groups 1 and 2 there was no statistically significant difference in "total signs" (mean ± SD: 4.37 ± 2.31 vs. 4.71 ± 2.51, respectively, p=0.48), "total symptoms" (1.59 ±2.13 vs. 1.09 ± 1.75, p=0.22) and "total score" (5.97 ±3.15 vs. 5.81 ± 3.58, p=0.82). There was also no difference in Schirmer test (19.16 ±6.27 vs. 17.67 ± 5.70, p=0.22). In group 1 there was less telangiectasia (1.10 ± 0.71 vs. 1.57 ± 0.63, p=0.001), more corneal neovascularization (0.19 ± 0.60 vs. 0, p=0,05) and ocular irritation (0.19 ± 0.47 vs. 0.02 ± 0.15, p=0.03).
Conclusions: :
In our population contact lenses users and non users had similar signs and symptoms of blepharitis.
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • contact lens