ABSTRACT
?AlM: To investigate repeatability and accuracy of a latest Keratograph for evaluating the tear film stability and to compare its measurements with that of traditional examination methods. ?METHODS: The results of noninvasive tear film break-up time ( Nl-BUT ) including the first tear film break-up time ( BUT-f ) and the average tear film break-up time ( BUT - ave ) were measured by Keratograph. The repeatability of the measurements was evaluated by coefficient of variation ( CV ) and intraclass correlation coefficient ( lCC) . Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to compare Nl-BUT with fluorescein tear film break-up time ( FBUT) to confirm the correlation between Nl-BUT and FBUT, Schirmer l test values. Bland-Altman analysis was used to evaluate consistency. ?RESULTS: The study recruited 48 subjects ( 48 eyes ) (mean age 38. 7±15. 2 years). The CV and lCC of BUT-f were respectively 12. 6% and 0. 95, those of BUT-ave were 9. 8% and 0. 96. The value of BUT-f was lower than that of FBUT. The difference had statistical significance ( 6. 16±2. 46s vs 7. 46±1. 92s, P ?CONCLUSlON: Keratograph can provide Nl-BUT data that has a better repeatability and reliability, which has great application prospects in diagnosis and treatment of dry eye and refractive corneal surgery.
ABSTRACT
Management of allergic conjunctivitis with conventional anti-allergic drugs usually cause the discomfort of dry eyes. This study, therefore, sought to evaluate the effect of Pistia stratiotes, a herbal remedy with anti-allergic properties, on tear secretion and tear film stability. ICR mice were grouped and treated with 5 mg/kg cetirizine, 10 mg/kg prednisolone, 100 mg/ kg leaf extract of P. stratiotes (LEPS), or 2 ml/kg normal saline per os for 7 consecutive days. With the phenol red thread test and the determination of fluorescein tear film break-up time, tear secretion and tear film stability before and after drug interventions were determined. Results recorded indicated that tear secretion and tear film stability declined significantly with cetirizine treatment (1.188 ± 0.4369 mm; P ≤ 0.05, and 2.688 ± 0.6185 s; P ≤ 0.001 respectively), while only tear secretion reduced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in mice treated with prednisolone (0.9380 ± 0.4422 mm). Treatment with LEPS showed no significant effect (P > 0.05) on tear secretion and tear film stability (0.7050 ± 0.4236 mm, and 0.9790 ± 0.6145 s respectively); comparable to normal saline treatment. Per the findings, Pistia stratiotes does not affect tear secretion and tear film stability and hence is not likely to exhibit the adverse effect of dry eyes, as conventional anti-allergic drugs do, in the management of allergic conjunctivitis.