Abstract
Purpose: :
On the hypothesis that eyelid tension (LT) during blinking may influence the pathophysiology of ocular surface disorder; we investigated the relationship between LT and the localization of fluorescein staining (FS) in dry eye patients.
Methods: :
LT was measured in 130 eyes of 65 dry eye patients (D group) and 58 eyes of 31 normal controls (N group) using a specially designed blepahro-tensiometer, and the maximum and average eyelid tension (MLT and ALT) of the superior and inferior eyelids were determined as parameters of LT. FS of corneal and conjunctival epithelium was evaluated by regular clinical scores (0-3), by dividing the cornea into superior, middle and inferior regions, and the conjunctiva into superior, nasal/temporal interpalpebral, and inferior regions. SchirmerItest value, tear film breakup time were also examined.
Results: :
The LT values (mmHg) of the superior MLT, superior ALT, inferior MLT, and inferior ALT in the D group were 26.1± 5.9, 20.2 ± 5.7, 25.2 ± 7.1, 19.6 ± 6.6, and those in the N group were 21.5 ± 6.8, 16.2 ± 6.2, 21.0 ± 7.8 and 16.4 ± 6.8, respectively. The all of the four parameters of the D group were significantly higher than those of the N group (p < 0.005). The LT values of the N group significantly decreased with age, while those of the D group did not. FS scores for the inferior cornea and conjunctiva were well correlated with the inferior MLT and ALT, respectively (p < 0.005), and those for the superior conjunctiva were correlated with the superior MLT and ALT (p < 0.05) as well. No correlations were noted between any of the LT values and FS scores for the superior and middle cornea or the interpalpebral conjunctiva.
Conclusions: :
High level of LT may influence the degree of fluorescein staining by increased friction in dry eye patients.
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques