Tear Osmolarity and Ocular Surface Changes in Patient with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Purpose: To evaluate the tear osmolarity and ocular surface changes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and Methods: Forty-eight patients with recently diagnosed PCOS and thirty-three control volunteers were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score was calculated. Tear osmolarity was measured using the TearLab Osmolarity System (Tearlab, San Diego, CA, USA). All subjects also underwent the following ophthalmologic evaluation: Schirmer I test, tear-film breakup time (TBUT), ocular surface flourescein staining, and conjunctival impression cytology. Results: Mean OSDI score was significantly higher in patients with PCOS than control subjects (P = 0.001). Tear osmolarity was similar in both groups (P = 0.404). There were no significant differences between groups in Schirmer I test results, TBUT, and ocular surface flourescein staining scores (P > 0.05). Compared to control group, a statistically significant squamous metaplasia was observed in temporal bulbar conjunctival impression cytology specimens in PCOS group (P = 0.032). Conclusions: In patients with recently diagnosed PCOS, tear volume and osmolarity are not affected but, conjunctival morphology may be affected, though on a limited scale.Scientific Research Projects Unit, University of Namik Kemal, Tekirdag, TurkeyNamik Kemal UniversityThis research was supported in part by a grant from the Scientific Research Projects Unit, University of Namik Kemal, Tekirdag, Turkey. The authors are grateful to Gulnur Yenilmez, Pelin Toprakal Gok, and Halil Hanci for their assistance in this project. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper