Effect of Isotretinoin Treatment on Tear-Film Status and Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

Purpose: To determine tear film stability, tear secretion, volume, and dry eye symptoms according to the duration of isotretinoin use in treating acne vulgaris.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional comparison study, dry eye measurements were taken for 60 participants from patients who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris and were treated with isotretinoin from the dermatology clinic at Tishreen University Hospital-Lattakia during the period 2022-2023. The sample was examined before using isotretinoin, after a month and a half, and after three months. The sample underwent eye examinations that included the Schirmer 1 test, a tear film break-up time (BUT) examination using a slit lamp device, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).

Results: We noticed an increase in the intensity of dry eye as the duration of use increased, with statistically significant differences regarding the mean values of the tear film breakdown time (BUT) test, as it became less with the increase in the duration of isotretinoin (p=0.0001). The OSDI also showed an increase in the intensity of dryness as the duration of isotretinoin use increased, with statistically significant differences (p=0.0001). The Schirmer1 decreased as the duration of isotretinoin increased, with statistically insignificant differences regarding the mean values of the Schirmer1 test, as it became less as the duration of isotretinoin increased (p=0.07).

Conclusion: The intensity of dry eye increases with the increasing duration of isotretinoin use in treating acne vulgaris in a statistically significant manner.