Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of acute conjunctivitis on tear film stability.
Material and Methods: Thirty three patiens (60 eyes) diagnosed with acute conjunctivitis were included in this study (Group 1). Twenty eyes of 10 healthy subjects (ages and sexes matching those of the study group) were considered as control group (Group 2). Group1 were divided into two subgroups. Twenty patients (34 eyes) diagnosed with acute infective conjunctivitis constituted Group 1-A while thirteen patients (26 eyes) diagnosed with acute seasonal allergic conjunctivitis were included in Group 1-B. Because of the fact that ocular surface may get impaired, patients using chronic treatment were excluded from the study. Besides, patients with contact lenses, blefaritis, or other ocular surface diseases were also left out.
Results: The average age of the patients was 28.8 ± 6.4 years (SD) whereas the mean age of the control group was 25.9 ± 5.9 years. Sexes were distributed equally in both groups. The mean tear break up time in acute conjunctivitis was 11.23±6.18 seconds in the study group and it was 23.50±4.45 seconds in the control group. p
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