The Effect Of Artificial Tears Treatment On Central Corneal Thickness In Dry Eye

To evaluate the effect of artificial tear treatment on central corneal thickness in dry eye patients using corneal topography

In this before and after study, central corneal thickness measurements using corneal topography (SIRIUS CSO ITALIA) were performed  on 192 eyes of  96 patients with dry eye at the ophthalmology department of Tishreen University Hospital/Lattakia from August 2020 to August  2021.

96 Patients underwent ocular examinations, including Schirmer  test, slit lamp examination for tear break-up time (BUT), and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements  using corneal topography before and after artificial tear treatment (carboxymethylcellulose and sodium hyaluronate 0,5% eye drop  formulations) 3-4 times a day  for one month, patients were examined again at a second visit and the results were compared

The mean CCT was( 545.79±10.5) before treatment and (571.30±11.3) after treatment (p=0.0001,  p=0.0001).

CCT statistically significantly increases of 4,7% from baseline (p=0.0001).

The mean tear BUT and Schirmer-1 tests revealed significant improvement after treatment

Artificial tear treatment in dry eye patients significantly increases the central corneal thickness .

this increase could be used as a criterion in the diagnosis and follow up of dry eyes, and this increase in thickness should be considered in intra ocular pressure measurements as well as in refractive surgical procedures.