Abstract
Purpose: :
The Tear Stability Analysis System (TSAS; Tomey Corporation, Nagoya, Japan) for evaluating time-dependent change of corneal topography has reportedly been applicable to assess tear film stability of cornea. Recently, a new program for the measurement of ring breakup time (RBUT) was incorporated into the system where time-dependent change of clarity for Meyer’s images from the cornea until 6 seconds while keeping the eye open can be assessed. In this study, we evaluate the relationship between TSAS-RBUT and the other parameters for the assessment of dry eye, as well as the possible applicability of TSAS-RBUT for dry eye screening.
Methods: :
Ninety eyes of 90 subjects were enrolled in this study. All eyes received examination by meniscometry [measurement of the radius of tear meniscus curvature (R) reflecting total tear volume at the ocular surface], TSAS-RBUT, fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), fluorescein staining score (FS, within 6mm of the central cornea), and the Schirmer I test. Eyes were divided into healthy non dry eyes [C (control) group], dry eye suspect eyes (DS group), and definite dry eyes (DD group), based on the 2006 Japanese dry eye diagnostic criteria.
Results: :
Of the 90 eyes examined, 21, 24, and 45 eyes were classified into the C, DS, and DD groups, respectively, based on the aforementioned criteria. RBUTs had a good correlation with FBUT (R=0.450, p=0.000) and weak correlations with R (R=0.336, p=0.008), FS (R=-0.251, p=0.000), and the Schirmer I test (R=0.203, P=0.123). RBUTs in the DD group were significantly shorter than those in the DS group (P=0.019) and the C group (P=0.000). Sensitivity and specificity of TSAS-RBUT for the screening of dry eye with values of ≤5 seconds being abnormal were determined as 80% and 60%, respectively.
Conclusions: :
It was found that TSAS-RBUT can be a good indicator of tear film stability as well as tear volume and corneal surface damage. We expect it to become a useful parameter for the screening of dry eye.
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques • imaging/image analysis: clinical