Ocular Manifestations in Patients with Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a systemically pathogenic immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory disease that mostly affects the skin. Ocular diseases, which are frequently nonspecific or just slightly bothersome in psoriasis, are not well-known. This study investigated ocular manifestations in patients with psoriasis.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bu-Ali Sina hospital in Sari, Iran. Seventy-five patients with psoriasis matched by age and sex with 75 non-psoriatic controls were examined. Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores were calculated for every patient with psoriasis. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) was measured in both groups. We did a slit-lamp examination, Schirmer I test, tear breakup time (TBUT) and fundoscopy in both groups.

The mean age of patients was 40.11±13.88 years. The most common findings on our examinations were conjunctival hyperemia (38%), blepharitis (36%), MGD (33%), and pinguecula (26%). MGD and low TBUT were more common in patients with higher PASI and DLQI scores. OSDI score was also higher in patients with psoriasis.

Ocular surface conditions such as dry eye were more common among the participants and were correlated with duration and severity of the disease. Therefore, psoriasis patients should get frequent and routine eye exams to detect ocular disorders quicly and avoid their unintended effects.