Evaluation of ocular surface epithelial and stromal thicknesses in psoriasis using anterior segment optical coherence tomography

Purpose To evaluate the epithelial and stromal thicknesses of conjunctiva and cornea in psoriatic patients with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), Methods In this cross-sectional study, 61 patients with psoriasis and 42 age-matched, healthy individuals were enrolled. The epithelial and stromal thicknesses of both inferotemporal bulbar conjunctiva and central cornea were measured using AS-OCT. Results Both the tear breakup time and Schirmer-1 test values were significantly lower in the psoriasis group compared with the controls (p < 0.05). The epithelial thickness of conjunctiva and cornea did not differ between psoriasis and control groups (p > 0.05). The central corneal stroma was significantly thicker in the psoriasis group (p = 0.04). PASI was positively correlated with the thickness of central cornea stroma (r = 0.442, p = 0.006) in the nail psoriasis group. Conclusions Psoriasis is not associated with altered epithelial thicknesses of the cornea and conjunctiva. It is accompanied by the stromal thickening of the cornea without conjunctival stromal involvement.