The effect of artificial tears on corneal surface regularity in patients with Sjogren syndrome

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of artificial tears on the topographic parameters associated with corneal surface regularity in patients with Sjogren syndrome. Methods: A total of 38 eyes of 20 patients with Sjogren syndrome were evaluated prospectively. The mean age of the patients was 50.5 +/- 15.3 years (range, 28-76). Corneal topography with the Topographic Modeling System (TMS-2, Tomey) was performed before and after the instillation of artificial tears. The surface regularity index (SRI), surface asymmetry index (SAI), potential visual acuity (PVA) and mean astigmatism were compared in dry eyes before and after the instillation of artificial tears. Results: Before the instillation of artificial tears SAI, SRI, PVA and mean antigmatism values were found to be 1.37 +/- 1.47, 0.74 +/- 0.42, 20/30.92 +/- 20/8.12 and 1.53 +/- 1.47 D, respectively. In corneal topography performed after the instillation of artificial tears SAI, SRI, PVA and mean astigmatism values were 0.71 +/- 0.82, 0.43 +/- 0.36, 20/25.92 +/- 20/5.55 and 1.08 +/- 1.18, respectively. When compared statistically, the SRI, SAI, and mean astigmatism all decreased significantly and the PVA improved (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Irregular corneal surface in dry eye patients affects optical quality. The statistically significant improvement observed in SRI and SAI values after the instillation of artificial tears also improves the PVA that is especially related to SRI. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel