Study on Dry Eye Syndrome and Lacrimal Punctal Size

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of lacrimal punctal size in patients with dry eye. METHODS: We analyzed 55 patients (110 eyes) who underwent lacrimal punctal plug insertion in dry eye from June to November 2003. We performed BUT and Schirmer test, inquired about the symptoms of dry eye, and measured lower lacrimal punctal size by Punctal Gauging System(R). RESULTS: The mean number of symptoms of dry eye was 4.24 +/- 1.14, 4.57 +/- 1.22, 5.75 +/- 1.00, and 6.95 +/- 0.91 in lower lacrimal punctal size 0.5mm, 0.6mm, 0.7mm, and 0.8mm, and the mean BUT was 4.86 +/- 1.59 sec, 3.94 +/- 1.69 sec, 3.25 +/- 1.57 sec, and 3.53 +/- 0.96 sec, respectively. These differences were statistically significant (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an increase of lacrimal punctal size decreases the BUT results and causes discomfort for patients with dry eye symptoms. Thus, an increase of lacrimal punctal size is the causative factor of dry eye, and the measurement of lacrimal punctal size is thought to be helpful to diagnose dry eye and choose the size of lacrimal punctal plug.