Role of impression cytology during hypovitaminosis A. Issue 3 (1st March 1998)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Polizzi, A; Schenone, M; Saccà, S C; Burlando, S; Freedman, D; Marinari, G; Cuneo, S; Rovida, S; Formelli, F; Camerini, G
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 82:Issue 3(1998)
• Page Start: 303
• Page End: 305
• Publication Date: 1998-03-01
• Subjects: hypovitaminosis A -- vitamin A -- impression cytology; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.82.3.303
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : AIMS: Evaluation of the morphological damage to the ocular surface of patients operated for biliopancreatic diversion for pathological obesity and the correlation of impression cytology with vitamin A plasma levels, adaptometry, and other general variables. METHODS: 48 patients (15 males, 33 females, age range 21–73) and 34 normal subjects were examined with fluorescein and rose bengal, a plasma dose of vitamin A, and adaptometry. The results of the various tests were subdivided into three levels (0 = normal, 1 = moderately altered, 2 = seriously altered). The impression cytology and adaptometry results were correlated with vitamin A levels and other patient data (age, nutritional condition, time since operation, percentage weight loss). All the examinations were repeated after intramuscular therapy with vitamin A. RESULTS: Corneoconjunctival alterations visible with fluorescein and rose bengal staining were present in 67.7% of cases, impression cytology alterations in 93.7%, adaptometric alterations in 82.2%; vitamin A plasma levels were below normal in 95.8% of cases. After the therapy with vitamin A a significant reduction was found for every examination. The correlation between impression cytology and adaptometry and vitamin A plasma levels and between corneoconjunctival alterations and vitamin A plasma levels was significant. There was no significant correlation between impression cytology and nutritional condition, age time since operation, and percentage weight loss. CONCLUSION: These results show impression cytology is a specific indicator for hypovitaminosis A because it is not influenced by other factors related to the general condition of the patient. Many patients with hypovitaminosis A not demonstrating ocular symptoms of changes visible with fluorescein and rose bengal showed alterations with impression cytology.