Correlation of Two Methods to Evaluate Dry Eye in the Office

Abstract

Purpose : To compare results obtained through the standard slit-eye examination of tear breakup time (TBUT) and Schirmer’s test with the JENVIS Dry Eye Report software values in the diagnosis of dry eye.

Methods : Retrospective observational study. We used a random sample of 20 patients at Zambrano Hellion Medical Center, Tecnológico de Monterrey. All patients were diagnosed with dry eye syndrome between January and December 2020. Their TBUT was measured through slit-lamp examination and with the JENVIS software installed in the OCULUS Keratograph 5M. Three JENVIS values were compared with slit-lamp results (which acted as control): the total breakup time (NIKBUT, noninvasive breakup time), the time to first rupture (NIKBUTf), and the average time of rupture (NIKBUTav). Schirmer’s test results were also compared with tear meniscus height (TMH) values given by the JENVIS software. A statistical analysis between values followed.

Results : Twelve patients were female (60%), and eight patients were male (40%). The age range was of 26 - 69 years with a mean of 45 years. Eight patients (40%) had a previous refractive surgery (LASIK). TBUT results obtained through slit-lamp had a mean of 5.89 seconds (range 3-9 seconds). The NIKBUT results had a mean of 10.53 seconds (range 1.53-24.98 seconds). The correlation between this value and slit-lamp TBUT was found to be moderately positive (r=0.34), statistically significant (p=0.03). The NIKBUTf results had a mean of 6.74 seconds (range 2.17-17.21 seconds). A statistically significant (p=0.04), moderately positive (r=0.38) relation was also found. The third value was the NIKBUTav with a mean of 8.52 seconds (range 3.39-21.58 seconds). The correlation between both of these values was not found to be statistically significant (p=0.09). TMH had a mean of 0.18 mm (range 0.1-0.34 mm). Its relation to Schirmer’s test values was also not found to be significant (p=0.8).

Conclusions : We found that at least 2 values given by the JENVIS software had a significant correlation with slit-lamp examination values. This suggests that the software may be used as an automatic, more systemized way of measuring TBUT that is easier, faster and less prone to subjective interpretation for those who possess an OCULUS Ketatograph 5M. Schirmer’s test and TMH results should still be analyzed separately. The main disadvantage of this study is its small sample size, so repeating the study with a larger sample is warranted.

This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.