Comparative Evaluation of Tear Film and Corneal Surface in Chronic Smokers and Non Smokers: A Cross-sectional Study
Correspondence Address :
Dr. Ruchi Dabas,
House No. 1934, Sector 2-3 Part, Near Huda Office, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India.
E-mail: dabas.ruchi@yahoo.co.in
Introduction: Tobacco smoking is the primary avoidable cause of mortality, resulting in the deaths of seven million people worldwide annually. Tobacco smoke is a well-documented ocular irritant that exacerbates Dry Eye Disease (DED) and its associated symptoms.
Aim: To compare tear film and corneal surface parameters in chronic smokers and non smokers.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among chronic smokers and non smokers presenting at a tertiary eye care centre in Northern India. A total of 80 subjects were included in the study and divided into two groups of 40 subjects each, comprising group A (chronic smokers) and group B (non smokers). All participants underwent a series of measurements: Schirmer I test, Tear Breakup Time (TBUT), Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) and endothelial cell count using specular microscopy.
Results: The mean age of smokers was 50.15±6.89 years, whereas the mean age of non smokers was 49.25±6.39 years, with a significant male preponderance. The dry eye parameters, such as the Schirmer I test and TBUT, were significantly lower in smokers compared to non smokers, with a statistically significant difference (p-value <0.001). Similarly, CCT and endothelial cell count were significantly lower in smokers than in non smokers, with a statistically significant difference (p-value <0.001).
Conclusion: The study highlights the detrimental effects of smoking on ocular surface health. Smoking predisposes users to DED due to lower tear production and an unstable tear film.
Central corneal thickness, Dry eye, Endothelial cell count, Smoking
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2025/75758.20499
Date of Submission: Sep 25, 2024
Date of Peer Review: Oct 26, 2024
Date of Acceptance: Dec 13, 2024
Date of Publishing: Jan 01, 2025
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? Yes
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? Yes
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA
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ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
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