Rentka A, et al. – This research work was carried out to determine the association between clinical signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In the evaluation, a significant association was found between the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) as a subjective parameter and disease duration. The check up of SSc must include early recognition of dry eye symptoms, as a possible extra-intestinal manifestation of the disease in order to reduce ocular complications. The objective tear functional tests were strongly influenced by individual factors like age and disease duration.

Methods

• This study consisted of 19 SSc patients and 19 normal subjects with no ocular symptoms or ocular surface disorders. 
• Clinical parameters included tear film break-up time (tBUT), Schirmer I, lissamine green (LG) dye, and tear film osmolarity tests, tear production, and tear secretion flow.
• The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered to all patients, for the evaluation of the dry eye symptoms.

Results

• The following mean values were found in SSc patients: OSDI 33.6 ± 19.86; osmolarity of the tear fluid 310.8 mOsmol/l ± 14.47; tBUT time 5.158 ± 2.328 s; Schirmer I test 5.395 mm/5 min; LG grading score 2.026 ± 0.8893; collected tear fluid volume 6.397 ± 2.761 µl.
• The calculated average tear velocity was 4.654 ± 1.963 µl/min.