Tear osmolarity as a biomarker for dry eye disease severity.
OBJECTIVE
To study the association between tear osmolarity and dry eye severity grade, based on a modified Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) scale, and between osmolarity and the signs and symptoms that determine dry eye disease severity.


METHODS
Nineteen patients with dry eye disease were asked to complete an evaluation of dry eye signs and symptoms composed of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, corneal staining with fluorescein, conjunctival staining with lissamine green, tear-film breakup time (TFBUT), Schirmer's test with anesthesia, and tear sample collection. Tear samples were collected in 5-microL microcapillaries. Tear osmolarity was measured in the right eye with a tear osmometer.


RESULTS
Tear osmolarity correlated significantly with dry eye severity grade (modified DEWS). Schirmer's test and tear osmolarity correlated significantly at r=-0.52, with Schirmer's test result, with adjustment for age, contributing significantly to the independent estimate of tear osmolarity.


CONCLUSIONS
Tear osmolarity correlates with dry eye severity and therefore could provide a biomarker for disease severity.
Suzuki
Mari
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Massingale
Morgan L
ML
Ye
Fen
F
Godbold
James
J
Elfassy
Tali
T
Vallabhajosyula
Maithreyi
M
Asbell
Penny A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
D015415:Biomarkers