Conjunctival impression cytology in patients with normal and impaired OSDI scores

Abstract Purpose To describe goblet cell density and Nelson grading in different areas of the ocular surface using conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) among patients with normal and impaired Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores. Materials and methods Patients (n = 166) under assessment for dry eye were recruited between 2011 and 2012 and classified according to the OSDI score in 4 categories (normal and impaired). Cytological study (CIC plus Papanicolaou staining) using the Nelson grading system, with modifications in staging, and goblet cell counting were performed on the nasal, temporal, inferior, and superior bulbar conjunctival surfaces. Results Nelson grading was significantly higher in patients with a severely impaired OSDI score (1.41 ± 0.14) compared to normal patients (0.86 ± 0.09) ( p p p p Conclusion Patients with severely impaired OSDI scores have less goblet cells and a higher Nelson grade. Goblet cells are more abundant on the non-photoexposed conjunctiva.