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Br J Ophthalmol 1997;81:435-438 doi:10.1136/bjo.81.6.435
  • Original Article

Long term course of tear gland function in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjögren’s syndrome

  1. A A Kruizea,
  2. O P van Bijsterveld150,a,
  3. R J Henéa,
  4. P C M de Wildeb,
  5. T E W Feltkampc,
  6. L Katera,
  7. J W J Bijlsmaa
  1. aUniversity Hospital of Utrecht, Netherlands, bUniversity Hospital of Nijmegen, Netherlands, cCentral Laboratory of the Blood Transfusion Service of Amsterdam, Netherlands
  1. A A Kruize, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Accepted 13 January 1997

Abstract

AIMS To assess the course of tear gland function of patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) associated with primary (KCS-PSS) or secondary Sjögren’s syndrome (KCS-SSS), and of patients with KCS not related to Sjögren’s syndrome (KCS-NS).

METHODS In 106 patients with dry eye an ophthalmic diagnosis of KCS was made. Subsequent evaluations revealed a diagnosis of KCS-PSS in 31, KCS-SSS in 19, and KCS-NS in 56 patients. Follow up assessments have been performed 10–12 years after initial diagnosis.

RESULTS At baseline and at follow up tear gland function tests were worse in patients with KCS-PSS compared with the other forms of KCS. At follow up in the KCS-SSS patient group the tear gland function variables returned to marginal normal limits. In contrast with expectation, a marked improvement of the tear gland function variables in the KCS-NS patient group was noted.

CONCLUSIONS In KCS-PSS patients tear gland function is characterised by a steady state situation. In KCS-SSS patients the normalisation of tear gland function variables most probably reflects a remission of the underlying disease. In view of the overall improvement in KCS-NS patients the term age related KCS should be avoided.

Footnotes

  • ↵Present address: ‘Oogcentrum Houten’, Houten, Netherlands.

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