title: Tear deficiency in Fuchs' intermediate uveitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess quantitatively and qualitatively tear secretion in Fuchs' intermediate (heterochromic) uveitis to detect any possible anomaly linked to Fuchs' uveitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University eye clinic, Chieti, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive white patients aged 32 to 65 years with unilateral Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results of Schirmer's test I, tear film breakup time, conjunctival mucus ferning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Schirmer's test I showed a tear deficiency in 15 patients; the tear film breakup time and ferning were abnormal in these patients. There was a significant difference in the test results between the affected eyes and the fellow, unaffected eyes (p < 0.001). There was no relation between tear deficiency and age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of tear anomalies only in the affected eye of patients with Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis suggests a link between Fuchs' uveitis and tear deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology, Università "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mastropasqua
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carpineto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciancaglini
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Gallenga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D015867:Uveitis, Intermediate / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology