The relation between tear film tests in patients with dry eye disease.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report was to investigate the relation between dry eye diagnostic tests.


METHODS
Dry eye patients were enrolled to complete a clinical examination, including the following dry eye tests: a meibomian gland evaluation, tear meniscus height, fluorescein tear breakup time, fluorescein staining of the cornea, the Schirmer 1 test, the phenol red thread test, and rose bengal staining of the conjunctiva. Statistical analyses, including correlation coefficients, the Wilcoxon sign rank test, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used to address the relation between these clinical tests of dry eye.


RESULTS
There was a strong relation between the Schirmer test and fluorescein staining in all four statistical analyses. Similarly, there was also a strong relation between the phenol red thread test and both fluorescein and rose bengal staining. Finally, the results of the Schirmer test were associated with the tear breakup time test in three of four analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that tests of aqueous deficiency (volume or production) are associated with ocular surface desiccation. This important relation should be recognized when choosing dry eye tests as outcomes in clinical trials and epidemiological studies.
Nichols
Kelly K
KK
The Ohio State University, College of Optometry, 320 West 10th Avenue PO Box 182342, Columbus, OH 43218-2342, USA. nichols.214@osu.edu
Nichols
Jason J
JJ
Lynn Mitchell
G
G
D004396:Coloring Agents; D003228:Conjunctiva; D003315:Cornea; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands; D008875:Middle Aged; D010637:Phenolsulfonphthalein; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012395:Rose Bengal; D013666:Tears
D004396:Coloring Agents; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012395:Rose Bengal; D010637:Phenolsulfonphthalein