In vivo confocal microscopy and trachomatous conjunctival scarring: Predictors for clinical progression.

IMPORTANCE: In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) provides high-resolution images of the ocular surface and has been validated in trachomatous conjunctival scarring. BACKGROUND: This study used IVCM to identify parameters associated with clinical scarring progression. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 800 participants in Northern Tanzania with trachomatous scarring. METHODS: Participants underwent clinical examination, photography and IVCM at baseline and 24-months. Clinical progression of scarring was defined by comparing baseline and 24-month photographs. Masked grading of IVCM images was used to identify scarring at both time points. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with clinical progression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors associated with clinical scarring progression. RESULTS: Clinical and IVCM assessment of 800 participants were performed at baseline, with 617 (77.1%) seen at 24-months. Of these, 438/617 (71.0%) had gradable IVCM images at both time points and 342/438 (78.1%) of these could be graded as showing definite clinical progression or no progression on image comparison. Clinical progression was found to occur in 79/342 (23.1%). After adjusting for age and sex, clinical scarring progression was strongly associated with a high IVCM connective tissue organisation score at both baseline (OR = 1.84 for each increase in scarring category; P = 0.002) and 24-months (OR = 1.60; P = 0.02). Dendritiform cells present at 24-months were strongly associated with clinical scarring progression after adjustment (OR = 2.62; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Quantitative IVCM parameters, including connective tissue organisation score and the presence of dendritiform cells, are associated with disease progression and may be useful markers in trachoma and other conjunctival fibrotic diseases.