Evaluation of Corneal Parameters with Scheimpflug Imaging in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Published in: Ocular immunology and inflammation Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 360 - 365
• Main Authors: Cingü, Abdullah Kür at, Ç nar, Yasin, Türkcü, Fatih Mehmet, ahin, Muhammed, Kaya, Sava, Bozkurt, Mehtap, ahin, Alparslan, Yüksel, Harun, Ari, eyhmus, Çaça, hsan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare USA, Inc 01.10.2013; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Arthritis, Rheumatoid - complications; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - pathology; Cornea - pathology; Corneal Pachymetry - methods; Corneal thickness; corneal volume; dry eye; Dry Eye Syndromes - complications; Dry Eye Syndromes - pathology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pentacam-HR; Photography - methods; Retrospective Studies; rheumatoid arthritis; Severity of Illness Index
• ISSN: 0927-3948; 1744-5078
• DOI: 10.3109/09273948.2013.797472

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate corneal parameters of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients by Pentacam-HR. Methods: Seventy RA patients and 100 control subjects were enrolled. All participants underwent Pentacam (Pentacam-HR, Oculus, Germany) evaluation. Both RA and control groups were divided into two subgroups as dry eye (DE) (Schirmer test with topical anesthesia (STA)   5 mm) and without DE (STA > 5 mm). Results: Pachymetric measurements and the mean corneal volume were significantly lower in RA group (p < 0.001). Disease duration was negatively correlated with pachymetric measurements in RA group. Pachymetric measurements and corneal volume of RA patients with DE were significantly lower than all the other subgroups. Control subgroups with or without DE were similar in pachymetric measurements and corneal volume. Conclusions: The results suggest that RA patients have thinner corneas compared to control subjects that may be affected by disease duration. Furthermore, coexistence of DE and RA seems to aggravate the thinning of cornea as well.