How do you manage long-term xerosis and xerophthalmia in patients who have completed a course of isotretinoin?

Isotretinoin provides a permanent benefit to acne because it atrophies sebaceous glands. My assumption is that it leaves the skin and eyes permanently more dry than they would have been. I don't know how to quantify this and would love to know if we have any studies on this.

Answer from: at Academic Institution

Xeropthalmia can be a real problem. In a study in rabbits, we showed that isotretinoin in doses up to 1mg/kg has effects on meibobian glands similar to those on that occur in sebaceous glands. Meibum is responsible for preventing the tear film from evaporating. The third patient I ever treated devel...

Comments

at Tanner Clinic
Thank you, Dr. @Leyden.

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