Central corneal thickness in patients with mild to moderate rosacea

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with rosacea in comparison to a healthy control group and to investigate any correlations by using the Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), and disease severity. Design: Prospective nonrandomized study. Participants: Patients with mild to moderate rosacea (n = 51) and a group of healthy individuals (n = 51) were included. Method: Patients were evaluated by a dermatologist; disease severity was determined and total rosacea severity score was calculated for each patient. CCT measurements were performed using ultrasonic pachymetry. Tear function tests, including Schirmer and TBUT, were also performed. Results: The mean CCT value was significantly lower in patients with rosacea than in the control group (544.91 +/- 29.41 mu m vs 559.40 +/- 24.18 mu m, p = 0.003). The mean Schirmer test value was significantly lower in patients than in controls (10.54 +/- 6.09 mm vs 19.13 +/- 4.24 mm, p < 0.0001), and the mean TBUT was shorter in the group with rosacea than in the controls (8.32 +/- 3.50 s vs 16.67 +/- 5.76 s, p < 0.0001). CCT values were found to be correlated with the Schirmer test values in the rosacea group (r = 0.33, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Patients with rosacea have thinner corneas, which could be attributed to the observed deteriorated tear function parameters. Candidates for corneal photoablation surgery should be evaluated regarding rosacea disease because the postoperative period could be complicated by decreased ocular wetting and corneal thinning, even in overlooked mild forms.