The Effect of Familial Mediterranean Fever Disease on The Cornea

Abstract

Objective: To investigate corneal structural in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). Methods: This case-control study included 64 patients with FMF and, 49 age and gender similar healthy subjects without any eye disease. Endothelial cell density (ECD), the coefficient of variation in cell size (CV) and percentage of hexagonality were measured by non-contact specular microscopy, central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry. Results: The mean CCT value was 516.89± 32.23 μm in the study group and 545.12±24.56 μm in the control group. The mean ECD, CV, and percentage of hexagonality values were 3402.51±383.84 cells/mm², 26.72±4.55%, and 68.60±8.63%in the study group, respectively and 3339.46±322.60 cells/mm², 27.59± 5.23%, and 67.34± 9.38% in the control group, respectively. Of these parameters, the CCT values were statistically significantly different between the study and control groups (p = 0.011). Conclusion: Compared to healthy individuals, patients with FMF may have significant morphological changes in the structure of the cornea.