Abstract:

Purpose: Acne vulgaris is a disease with no known ocular involvement and is most commonly seen in the younger population. The aim of this study was to examine the ocular surfaces of acne vulgaris patients with no ocular signs and symptoms by impression cytology. Methods: The study groups included 74 eyes of 37 acne vulgaris patients and 28 eyes of 14 healthy control subjects from the same age group. Schirmer I test, the tear break-up time test and the conjunctival impression cytology were performed in each patient. Results: We observed no difference between the tear break-up time and the Schirmer's test values between the two groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of impression cytology results (p=0.0001). Conclusion: It was determined that impression cytology properties were altered in patients with acne vulgaris although there was no ocular involvement. Consequently, we suggest that acne vulgaris patients require more detailed ophthalmologic evaluation

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