Abstract

A cross-sectional study on 200 eyes of 100 consecutive adult patients (93 females, seven males) diagnosed with SSc was performed in Northern India. The mean age was 45.11 + 11.68 years, and the mean disease duration was 6.93 + 3.68 years. Meibomian gland disease was more commonly found in patients with the diffuse subtype of SSc (p=0.037). Choroidal thickness was increased in 34% and decreased in 7% (reference range=307+79µm) patients. Reduced tear film break-up time, meibomian gland dysfunction, and eyelid stiffness had a statistically significant association with the presence of anti-Scl-70 antibody (p=0.003, <0.0001, and 0.004 respectively). Conclusion This study highlights the need for an active comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. About three-fourths of the patients in our cohort had ocular involvement to varying extent. An isolated presence of anti-Scl70 antibody was also found to have a positive association with dry eye disease.

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