The Use of Thinprep Technique for the Evaluation of Conjunctival Cytology.

Background: Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids
and covers the outer surface of the eye and is the most common ocular problem seen each year by practicing optometrists and ophthalmologists. Different forms of conjunctivitis are classified as either infectious or non-infectious. Identifying cell types can help to characterize the origin of the conjunctival inflammatory response as either infectious or non-infectious so the patient can be properly treated. Two non-invasive methods, a traditional scrape and smear and a new application of the ThinPrep® technique, have been developed for evaluating the cells of the eye. Methods: The patients' palpebral conjunctiva was swabbed with both techniques, testing slightly different areas to evaluate for leukocytes. The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a significant difference between the two techniques in evaluating the conjunctiva of the eye for cell cytology. Results: The results indicated that the ThinPrep® technique was significantly
different from the traditional scrape and smear when comparing the total number of cells
present (U = 1491.50, p=0.0362), cell preservation, and detecting the presence of
neutrophils. However, the results did not show a significant difference when comparing
the presence of monocytes, macrophages, eosinophils, and basophils. Conclusion: The
new application of the ThinPrep® technique proved to be a reliable tool for evaluating
the eye for cell cytology.