Psoriasis and The Eye : A Clinical profile of patients attending a tertiary care hospital

Authors: Sharon Mary George, Balasubramaniyam Mary Radhakrishnan, Naveen Basheer

DOI: 10.18231/j.ijceo.9575.1759136637

Keywords: psoriasis,blepharitis,dry eye disease,uveitis,joint involvement, defective vision, schirmer's,evaluation,scalp involvement,irritation,photophobia,episcleritis, blepharoconjunctivitis

Abstract: Abstract Aim and Objectives: To determine the most common ocular manifestations in psoriatic patients, and it’s association with the duration of disease and onset of ocular signs and symptoms. Background: Psoriasis often presents clinically by means of multi-system involvement, one among which are the eyes.There is a strong correlation between psoriatic patients with or without joint and/or scalp involvement and the development of ocular pathology. This study was conducted to understand the various clinical dimensions of this broad-spectrum disease, helps draw an association with the time intervals, disease presentation and progression and gives an overall insight into the most common ocular findings of psoriasis. Methods: A total of 75 patients visiting the dermatology OPD in SRM Medical college and Hospital from April 2023 to April 2024 were included in this study. Examination included a detailed ocular history, visual acuity, slit lamp evaluation, intraocular pressure assessment, dry eye test ( schirmer’s, TBUT, etc), fundus examination, and general and systemic examination. Relevant details pertaining to the duration and treatment of psoriasis were also noted down. Results: Out of a total of 75 psoriatic patients aged between 16 to 80 years, Scalp(72%) ,nail(42.7% ) and joint (17.3%) involvement was seen of which 57.33% of the patients were asymptomatic and 42.67% had a few non-specific symptoms.The most common ocular manifestation was blepharitis(23.3%) and conjunctivitis(12.5%). Among the asymptomatic patients, Blepharoconjunctivitis was found to be a common finding. Among the symptomatic patients, irritation, redness, pain, defective vision and photophobia were among the common symptoms. Conclusions: The various manifestations of Ocular Psoriasis include Blepharoconjunctivitis, Episcleritis, Uveitis and Dry eye disease. These were also seen in patients without joint involvement which necessitates routine screening of all patients along with a holistic combined treatment approach.