Clinical study on dry eye of keratoconus at different stages

Objective To compare the dry eye characteristics of keratoconus at different stages and normal cornea. The dry eye features of keratoconus were analyzed. Methods Case-control study of 35 cases (44 eyes) of keratoconus were selected and divided into mild keratoconus 19 eyes, 15 cases with moderate keratoconus and 10 eyes with severe keratoconus according to Amsler-Krumeich grading method. Forty-four cases (44 eyes) as a normal corneal group. The dry eye characteristics were measured by the Keratograph dry eye comprehensive analyzer: First noninvasive tear break up time (NIBUT), mean NIBUT, tear river height, ocular index and meibomian gland absent area. And each patient was scored using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire. Using the T test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, variance analysis, Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results OSDI score of keratoconus group (40.96 ± 8.15) and normal cornea group (17.98 ± 5.50), the difference was statistically significant (t=10.864, P 0.05). There was no significant difference in the area of keratoconjunctival gland between different stages (F=1.555, P=0.226). Conclusions The study parameters indicate that keratoconus patients suffer greater symptoms and signs of dry eye, the difference of dry eye at different stages of keratoconus is significant. Key words: Dry eye; Keratoconus; Dry eye comprehensive analyzer