Evaluation of Ocular Surface Epithelial and Stromal Thicknesses in Psoriasis Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the epithelial and stromal thicknesses of conjunctiva and cornea in psoriatic patients with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT),Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 61 patients with psoriasis and 42 age-matched, healthy individuals were enrolled. The epithelial and stromal thicknesses of both inferotemporal bulbar conjunctiva and central cornea were measured using AS-OCT. Results: Both the Tear break-up time and Schirmer-1 test values were significantly lower in the psoriasis group compared with the controls (p0.05) The central corneal stroma was significantly thicker in the psoriasis group (p=0.04). PASI was positively correlated with the thickness of central cornea stroma (r=0.442, p=0.006) in the nail psoriasis group. Conclusions: Psoriasis is not associated with altered epithelial thicknesses of the cornea and conjunctiva. It is accompanied by the stromal thickening of the cornea without conjunctival stromal involvement.