Tear Lacritin and Implications in Dry Eye After Photorefractive Keratectomy
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To determine whether levels of tear protein lacritin correlate with signs and symptoms of dry eye after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
Methods
This is a prospective study of patients undergoing PRK for correction of myopia or myopic astigmatism. Schirmer test scores, tear break up time (TBUT), corneal surface staining and dry eye symptoms were determined preoperatively and postoperatively. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was used to evaluate dry eye symptoms. Tears were collected preoperatively and day 1, week 1, months 1 and 3 postoperatively. Lacritin concentrations were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multivariate analysis of variance was performed to determine if lacritin had any significance in signs and symptoms of dry eye.
Results
The study comprised of 52 participants aged of 30.5±6.7 years, 65.4% of which were male. OSDI scores were significantly higher compared to preop (6.5±10.4) at 1 month (18.3±13.4, p<0.01) and 3 months postoperatively (11.5±8.4, p=0.02). Postoperative schrimer scores, TBUT, and staining scores were not significantly different from their preoperative values. Lacritin concentration changed significantly over time from preop to 3 months postop(p<0.01). Lacritin did not significantly affect dry eye markers at preop (p=0.49), at 1 month (p=0.44), and 3 months postop (p=0.08).
Conclusion
Initial results suggest no relationship between tear lacritin and dry eye clinical indicators up to 3 months post-PRK.