Incidence of dry eye in patients of acne vulgaris on isotretinoin

A study was conducted by the department of dermatology in collaboration with department of ophthalmology, to determine the incidence of dry eye in patients prescribed isotretinoin for acne vulgaris. Thirty patients with acne were enrolled in this prospective study. Isotretinoin was administered at a dose of 0.5–1 mg/kg/day with food for 16 weeks. In all patients, torch light examination, visual acuity, slit lamp examination and Schirmer test, were evaluated, along with careful history taking about ocular symptoms. All these eye examinations were repeated before and during treatment, with isotretinoin by the same examiner at 0, 4, 8, 16 weeks. Results. No significant results were noted in visual acuity. On the other hand, the differences between Schirmer values that were evaluated before and during treatment were statistically significant (<0.05) developing in 8 patients. Subjective symptoms such as dryness and itching, occurred in 33% of the patients. Conclusion. Dry eye developed in almost 1/3rd patients who were prescribed isotretinoin.