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Periocular vitiligo may alter ocular surface, tear function
Patients with periocular vitiligo demonstrated a statistically significant difference in mean tear breakup time compared with a control group, according to a study.
The prospective, case-control study analyzed 60 eyes of 30 patients with periocular vitiligo and 100 eyes of 50 healthy controls. All subjects were compared for tear breakup time, Schirmer test results and impression cytology findings graded to the Nelson’s classification.
Patients with vitiligo demonstrated a mean tear breakup time of 9.5 ± 4.1 seconds, compared to 13.1 ± 4.2 seconds for controls (P = .005).
The researchers found that 19 eyes in the vitiligo group and eight eyes in the control group had grade 2 to 3 changes under Nelson’s classification (P < .001). Three eyes with vitiligo and none of the control eyes had inflammation signs in the impression cytology analysis.
The mean Schirmer test values were 14.6 ± 4.3 mm in patients with vitiligo and 15.1 ± 4.4 mm in the control group; the difference was not statistically significant.
“Our results suggest that ocular surface and tear function alterations may occur in patients with periocular vitiligo,” the study authors said. “Further studies on ocular surface involvement in periocular vitiligo patients may help to increase understanding of the pathophysiology of vitiligo.”