Authors
Doga A.V., Borzenok S.A., Mushkova I.A., Karimova A.N., Khubetsova M.Kh., Ostrovskiy D.S., Obraztsova M.R.
S.N. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution of the Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow
Abstract
Background. It is well known that the conjunctival epithelium contains mucin-producing goblet cells and Langerhans dendritic cells. Goblet cells of the conjunctiva secrete soluble mucins into the water-mucin layer of the tear film, performing protective and regulatory functions. In this regard, to assess the condition of the water-mucin layer of the tear film, it is possible to conduct a cytological examination of the conjunctiva in order to verify the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome.
Purpose. To assess the condition of conjunctival goblet cells in refractive profile patients at the pre- and postoperative stages.
Materials and methods. In the course of the work, two study groups were formed: the first group is patients with a verified diagnosis of dry eye syndrome and the second group is patients with initially no signs of dry eye syndrome. Patients of both groups underwent impression cytology of the bulbar conjunctiva using JET BIOFIL MCE NYLON PVDF PES PTFE CA SFCA PES Express filters after local anesthesia. The obtained samples were fixed in 96% ethyl alcohol with subsequent coloring by the CHIC – Alcian blue method (Labiko, Russia). The samples were evaluated using an inverted light phase contrast microscope IX81 (Olympus, Japan) with an integrated digital camera XC10 (Olympus, Japan). Sampling was carried out in the time before the operation, 7 days, 1.3 and 6 months after the operation.
Results and discussion. During the impression cytology of the bulbar conjunctiva in patients diagnosed with dry eye syndrome and in patients with initially no signs of xerosis of the ocular surface before and after keratorefractive surgery, a difference was noted in the distribution of the density of goblet cells depending on the area of fixation of the smear imprint on the ocular surface, the period of sampling (before and after surgery), the status of the eye surface before surgery and the type of laser vision correction technology.
Conclusion. Thus, cytological examination of the conjunctiva together with the standard diagnostic module of the ocular surface condition provides a comprehensive assessment of the pathophysiological link in verifying the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome in patients before and after keratorefractive surgery.
Keywords: dry eye syndrome, goblet cells, tear film, keratorefractive surgery.
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