Conjunctival impression cytology in patients with ectodermal dysplasia

Ectodermal dysplasia is a group of symptoms affecting tissues and organs of ectodermal origin. In this study, conjunctival impression cytology technique which is a non-invasive method was performed in patients with ectodermal dysplasia to evaluate the affects on conjunctiva. Six eyes of three patients with ectodermal dysplasia who were followed up by the Ophthalmology Clinic of Dicle University Faculty of Medicine and Prosthetic Dentistry Departments were included in the study. Bulbar conjunctiva impression cytology method was applied to the upper surface of the bulbar conjunctiva and the cell groups taken to the surface of cellulose acetate paper were fixed by a solution containing 70% ethyl alcohol, 37% formaldehyde and glicial acetic acid with a ratio of 20:1:1 and later stained by periodic acid-schiff and haematoxylin-eosin. Using impression cytology method a decrease in integrity of the cells, picnotic changes in the nucleus, epithelial cell-like changes and loss of goblet cells were observed in patients with ectodermal dysplasia. The findings of eye dryness in patients with ectodermal dysplasia were supported by the impression cytology technique. Impression cytology can be used as a non-invasive method in ophthalmologic follow-up of patients with ectodermal dysplasia. (Turk Arch Ped 2012; 47: 69-72)