Strip meniscometry: a new and simple method of tear meniscus evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the applicability and efficacy of a new and simple method of quantification of the volume of tear meniscus, termed "strip meniscometry," in the diagnosis of the dry eye syndromes in a prospective controlled study.


METHODS
One hundred eyes of 50 patients with dry eye (19 males; 31 females) aged between 18 and 76 years (mean, 54.3 years), as well as 80 eyes of 40 normal subjects aged from 15 to 70 years (mean, 50.8 years; 12 males, 28 females) were recruited in this study. The patients and the control subjects underwent strip meniscometry for 5 seconds, tear film lipid layer interferometry, tear film break-up time measurement, and ocular surface vital staining with fluorescein and rose bengal dyes and the Schirmer-1 test.


RESULTS
Strip meniscometry scores correlated with tear quantity and stability, ocular surface staining scores, and lipid layer interferometry grades and improved after 2 weeks of punctal plug occlusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Strip meniscometry is a swift, noninvasive, promising new method that is expected to find application in the diagnosis and evaluation of the outcome of treatment of dry eye syndromes.
Dogru
Murat
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa, Japan. muratodooru@yahoo.com
Ishida
Katsushi
K
Matsumoto
Yukihiro
Y
Goto
Eiki
E
Ishioka
Misaki
M
Kojima
Takashi
T
Goto
Tateki
T
Saeki
Megumi
M
Tsubota
Kazuo
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*