title: Age-related changes in precorneal tear film stability.
abstract: For several years it has been known that the production rate of tears declines as age increases. Reports suggest that this reduction is more apparent in females than in males. Using a noninvasive method we report that a significant linear reduction in precorneal tear film stability occurs between the ages of 8 and 80 years. However, we found no significant differences in tear film stability between males and females.
authors.affiliation: Glasgow College, Department of Ophthalmic Optics, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Farrell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013666:Tears / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005452:Fluoresceins