Effects of topical vitamin A on Conjunctival Goblet Cell Density After Small Incision Cataract Surgery

Background: Conjunctival goblet cells could be impaired and resulted in unstable tear film after small incision cataract surgery (SICS). The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of topical vitamin A on the conjunctival goblet cell density after SICS. Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial with pre-and post-control group design conducted in Bali Mandara Hospital on September 2015 until January 2016. A total of 38 patients were divided into two groups; 19 patients were given topical vitamin A and 19 patients were given placebo. Impression cytology specimen was obtained before SICS, after SICS and 4 weeks after intervention. Impression cytology was examined in Pathological Anatomy Laboratory of Sanglah General Hospital. Mean density of goblet cells before and after SICS were calculated using paired t-test. The difference of before and after intervention in each group were calculated using independent t-test. Results: Mean density of conjunctival goblet cells before SICS was 15.5 ± 13.4 cells/10 HPF and after SICS was 15.7 ± 12.7 cells/10 HPF (p = 0.938). Mean difference in conjunctival goblet cells density before and after SICS in the intervention group was 0.2 ± 11.7 cells/10 HPF and in the control group was -10.2 ± 8.1 cells/10 HPF (p = 0.003). The mean difference between the two groups was 10.4 ± 3.2 cells/10 HPF. Conclusions: The mean difference of conjunctival goblet cells density between two groups after intervention was found to be statistically significant.