Sampling methods for tear stix tests.
Four different methods for transferring conjunctival fluid to stix test pads were studied. One hundred and twenty eyes from 120 cataract-extracted patients (35 in the operated eye 0-5 days post-operatively and 85 in the contralateral eye) were included in the study. Transfer of fluid by a glass rod from the lateral part of the inferior fornix was demonstrated to be the most suitable method, showing the highest sensitivity to leucocyte-esterase (83%, N = 120, p < 0.05) and with a specificity equal to that of the other methods tested (cotton, spongostan, Schirmer paper strip). The glass rod method is suitable for detecting blood, nitrite, albumin, pH, and glucose, and is a both quick and unintrusive procedure. All four transferring methods may, however, cause an increased desquamation of epithelial cells and an increased amount of mucus.
Norn
M
M
Eye Department, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis; D011934:Reagent Strips; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology
D000418:Albumins; D009573:Nitrites; D011934:Reagent Strips; C021443:leukocyte esterase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; D005947:Glucose