IMPRESSION CYTOLOGY IN PATIENTS WITH KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA

Impression cytology is a simple and painless procedure that allows the collection of the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium. Each sample is assigned a grade of epithelial metaplasia, and goblet c ell density is calculated in each one. We have studied the superior an d temporal bulbar conjuctiva of dry eyes and have compared it with tha t of normal controls. In normal and dry eyes we find a statistically s ignificant difference both in goblet eel density and grade of metaplas ia, between superior and temporal bulbar conjunctiva. The differences in grade of metaplasia and goblet cell density between normal and dry eyes are significant in the superior conjunctiva, but in the temporal conjunctiva we only find significant differences in grade of metaplasi a.