Assessment of Tear Lipid Layer after Treatment by an Infrared Instrument

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We performed this study to evaluate the influence on tear film of infrared instrument by observing the morphologic change of the tear lipid layer and tear break-up time by Tearscope(R). METHODS: The subjects were 52 eyes from 26 people. After infrared hyperthermic therapy, we analyzed the change of the tear lipid layer by Tearscope(R) at 10 minutes, 6 hours, and 12 hours. We also observed the subjective symptoms of change related to dry eye syndrome and tear break-up time. RESULTS: Of the 26 normal cases, 20 were men and 6 were women. The mean age was 26.4 +/- 1.9 years. The subjective symptoms improved and the tear lipid layer showed a decrease of color fringe yellow-brown and color fringe multiple colors type, and an increase of waves and closed meshwork type 10 minutes and 6 hours following infrared treatment. Tear break-up time was also prolonged from preoperative value of 10.0 +/- 2.4 seconds to 11.0 +/- 2.7 and 11.1 +/- 2.9 seconds at 10 minutes and 6 hours, respectively, after infrared treatment, but this effect did not persist after 12 hours. Schirmer test value did not show significant change. No complication related to infrared treatment was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Infrared treatment may be considered a possible method of treating dry eye syndrome by increasing the stability of the tear lipid layer.