scholarly journals Dynamic assessment of the tear film muco-aqueous and lipid layers using a novel tear film imager (TFI)

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fani Segev ◽  
Noa Geffen ◽  
Anat Galor ◽  
Yoel Cohen ◽  
Raanan Gefen ◽  
...  

PurposeThe objective of the study was to assess a new technology, the tear film imager (TFI), which can dynamically image the muco-aqueous and lipid layers.MethodsProspective pilot case series of individuals with and without dry eye (DE). Two sequential images were obtained with the TFI. Measurements were assessed for reproducibility and compared with clinically derived DE metrics. Individuals were grouped into DE categories based on signs of DE.Results49 patients participated in the study with a mean age of 58.8 years (SD 15.9) and a female majority (69%). Reproducibility of the muco-aqueous layer thickness (MALT) was excellent (r=0.88). MALT measurements significantly correlated with the Schirmer score (r=0.31). Lipid break up time (LBUT) as measured by the TFI significantly correlated with the clinical measure of tear break up time (TBUT) (r=0.73). MALT and LBUT were significantly thinner and shorter, respectively, in the DE groups (mild–moderate and severe) compared with the control group. When comparing TFI parameters to clinically assessed signs, sensitivity of the device was 87% and specificity was 88%.ConclusionThe TFI is the first machine capable of reproducibly measuring muco-aqueous thickness in human subjects which correlates with Schirmer score. In parallel, it assesses other important aspects of tear film function which correlate with clinician assessed DE metrics.

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeeshan Kamil ◽  
Qirat Qurban ◽  
Khalid Mahmood

Purpose:  To find out the effect of oral contraceptive pills on tear film and intraocular pressure of women of reproductive age group. Study Design:  Observational study. Place and Duration of Study:  Khalid Eye clinic, Karachi, from February 2019 to January 2020. Methods:  Eighty females between the 20 to 40 years of age were recruited for this study. They were divided into two groups of forty each. Group A included females using oral contraceptive pills for at least last nine months. Whereas, group B included control group of age matched females not using any contraceptive pills. The study dynamics was explained to all participants and informed consent was obtained. Tear film status was assessed on the basis of Tear film break up time (TBUT) on slit lamp examination and Schirmer strip test 2 (without anesthesia). Intraocular pressures were checked using Goldman Applanation tonometer. Studywas approvedfrom ethical review committee of the hospital. Results:  Mean age was 29.3 ± 3.27 years. Tear film break up time was < 7 ± 1.5 sec in group A and > 10 ± 1.2 sec in group B. Schirmer strip test was ≤ 9 ± 1 mm of wetting in group A and ≥ 13 ± 1 mm of wetting in group B. Mean intraocular pressure was 17 ± 2 mmHg in group A whereas 13 ± 2 mmHg in group B. Grittiness, heaviness and foreign body sensation were more common in group A. Conclusion:  Use of oral contraceptive pills has an adverse effect on the tear film status and intraocular pressures. Key Words:  Oral contraceptive pills, Tear film, TBUT, Schirmer’s test, Intraocular pressure.


Author(s):  
Kirti Singh ◽  
Mainak Bhattacharyya ◽  
Abhishek Goel ◽  
Ritu Arora ◽  
Nikhil Gotmare ◽  
...  

Purpose: Literature is relatively silent on safety profile and predictability of orthokeratology lenses in terms of myopia correction and prevention of further progression, especially in semi-tropical countries; this study was designed to fill this gap. Methods: This prospective, intervention case series enrolled 30 eyes of 30 patients with myopia up to –5.5 diopters (D). Patients were randomized into two groups of 15 each; the study group was prescribed overnight orthokeratology (OK) lenses, while the control group used daily wear conventional soft contact lenses. Follow-up examinations were performed after 1 h and 6 h, and then at 1, 7, 15, 30 days, and 4 months post lens wear. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), contrast sensitivity, keratometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), and tear film break up time (TBUT) were evaluated at each follow-up examination. Results: All patients attained a visual acuity of 0.00 Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) after one week of lens use, which was maintained throughout the study period. While patients allotted to the study group had a gain of 8.1 Snellen lines (UCVA), those in the control group gained 8.9 lines (BCVA) at the end of follow-up period. In the OK group, cornea showed a flattening of 0.8 D (mean keratometry) after single overnight usage of OK lens and overall flattening of 1.2 D compared to baseline, at the end of four months. The change in contrast sensitivity, corneal endothelial specular count, axial length and tear film status was not significant in either group. Conclusion: Orthokeratology is an effective and safe modality to correct moderate myopia in motivated young adults. No side effects were encountered after a short-term follow-up in participants who resided in semi-tropical environments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aboubakari Nambiema ◽  
Grace Sembajwe ◽  
Juleen Lam ◽  
Tracey Woodruff ◽  
Daniele Mandrioli ◽  
...  

Introduction: Systematic reviews are routinely used to synthesize current science and evaluate the evidential strength and quality of resulting recommendations. For specific events, such as rare acute poisonings or preliminary reports of new drugs, we posit that case reports/studies and case series (human subjects research with no control group) may provide important evidence for systematic reviews. Our aim, therefore, is to present a protocol that uses rigorous selection criteria, to distinguish high quality case reports/studies and case series for inclusion in systematic reviews.Methods: This protocol will adapt the existing Navigation Guide methodology for specific inclusion of case studies. The usual procedure for systematic reviews will be followed. Case reports/studies and case series will be specified in the search strategy and included in separate sections. Data from these sources will be extracted and where possible, quantitatively synthesized. Criteria for integrating cases reports/studies and case series into the overall body of evidence are that these studies will need to be well-documented, scientifically rigorous, and follow ethical practices. The instructions and standards for evaluating risk of bias will be based on the Navigation Guide. The risk of bias, quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations will be assessed by two independent review teams that are blinded to each other.Conclusion: This is a protocol specified for systematic reviews that use case reports/studies and case series to evaluate the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations in disciplines like clinical toxicology, where case reports/studies are the norm.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Guarnieri ◽  
Elena Carnero ◽  
Anne-Marie Bleau ◽  
Nicolás López de Aguileta Castaño ◽  
Marcos Llorente Ortega ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tear film stability is the key event in ocular surface diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate spatial and temporal progression of the tear film break-up using an automatic non-invasive device. Methods Non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) parameters, such as First NITBUT (F-NITBUT) and Average NITBUT (A-NITBUT), were evaluated in 132 glaucoma and 87 control eyes with the Keratograph 5M device. Further analysis of this data was used to determine size, location and progression of tear film break-up with automatically identified break-up areas (BUA). The progression from First BUA (F-BUA) to total BUA (T-BUA) was expressed as Dry Area Growth Rate (DAGR). Differences between both groups were analysed using Student t-test for parametric data and Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between parametric variables and Spearman in the case of non-parametric variables. Results F-NITBUT was 11.43±7.83 seconds in the control group and 8.17±5.73 in the glaucoma group (P=0.010). A-NITBUT was 14.04±7.21 and 11.82±6.09 seconds in control and glaucoma groups, respectively (P=0.028). F-BUA was higher in the glaucoma group than in the control group (2.73 and 2.28; P=0.022) and was more frequently located at the centre of the cornea in the glaucoma group (P=0.039). T-BUA was also higher in the glaucoma group than in the control group (13.24% and 9.76%; P=0.012) and the DAGR was steeper in the glaucoma group than in the control group (34.38º and 27.15º; P=0.009). Conclusions Shorter NITBUT values and bigger, more central tear film break-up locations were observed in the glaucoma group than in the control group. The DAGR indicates that tear film rupture is bigger and increases faster in glaucomatous eyes than in normal eyes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 3573
Author(s):  
María T. Iradier ◽  
María Ángeles del Buey ◽  
Cristina Peris-Martínez ◽  
Priscilla Cedano ◽  
David P Piñero

This non-comparative prospective case series was conducted to characterize the clinical impact of intense pulsed light (IPL)-based treatment in dry eyes associated to Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), defining the predicting factors for a successful outcome with this therapy in a large case series. A total of 390 eyes (195 patients, range: 23–93 years) received four sessions of Optima IPL system (Lumenis, Yokneam, Israel). Significant changes were observed in tear film osmolarity in both eyes (p < 0.001) and in meibum quality (p < 0.001), with more eyes showing clear or yellow secretions after therapy. Mean change in the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) was −8.61, ranging from −27.00 to 11.00. This change was significantly correlated with the baseline value of OSDI (r = −0.489, p < 0.001). The change in osmolarity correlated significantly with the baseline osmolarity in both eyes (right r = −0.636, left r = −0.620, p < 0.001). A linear predicting model of the change in OSDI with therapy was obtained: change OSDI = 10.99 − 0.35 × OSDI − 1.03 × NIBUTRE-LE (mean non-invasive break up time of right and left eye) −2.03 × Meibum quality grade (p = 0.001; R2: 0.325). In conclusion, the improvement in symptomatology achieved with an IPL-based therapy can be predicted at baseline using a linear model considering the level of MGD and the magnitude of OSDI and NIBUT (non-invasive break-up time).


Author(s):  
Yakup Acet ◽  
Baris Çil ◽  
Mehmet Kabak ◽  
Esra Vural

Abstract Purpose To compare the topographical tear film break-up time (T-BUT) between individuals recovering from COVID-19 and control subjects using a noninvasive and noncontact technique with a Scheimpflug-Placido disc topographer. Methods One-hundred and twenty-two eyes from 61 post-COVID-19 patients and 124 eyes from 62 control subjects were included in this prospective study. All participants underwent detailed ophthalmological examination including best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurements, slit lamp examination, and fundoscopy as well as qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the noninvasive first tear film break-up time (NIF-BUT) and noninvasive average tear film break-up time (NIAvg-BUT) with T-BUT measured with a Sirius (CSO – Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici S. r. l., Italy) corneal topography device. Results The mean NIF-BUT in post-COVID-19 and control patients was 5.2 ± 3.4 vs. 6.5 ± 3.2 sec, respectively. The mean NIAvg-BUT in the corresponding groups was 7.5 ± 3.5 vs. 8.8 ± 3.0 sec, respectively. Both NIF-BUT and NIAvg-BUT were significantly lower in the post-COVID-19 group than in controls (p = 0.004 vs. 0.020). Topographical tear film break-up at any time during the test (17 sec) was observed qualitatively in 79 eyes (64.8%) in the post-COVID-19 group and 57 eyes (46%) in the control group (p = 0.003). Moreover, temporal quadrant involvement occurred significantly more frequently in the post-COVID-19 group (p = 0.028). Conclusion Tear film stability assessment based on T-BUT showed shorter NIF-BUT and NIAvg-BUT in post-COVID-19 patients as compared to the control group. Our results suggest that post-COVID-19 patients have impaired stability of tear film, and therefore require closer monitoring regarding dry eye. In addition, tear film instability in post-COVID-19 patients can be reliably detected using a noninvasive and noncontact technique that is more comfortable for both patients and physicians.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Guarnieri ◽  
Elena Carnero ◽  
Anne-Marie Bleau ◽  
Nicolás López de Aguileta Castaño ◽  
Marcos Llorente Ortega ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tear film stability is the key event in ocular surface diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate spatial and temporal progression of the tear film break-up using an automatic non-invasive device. Methods Non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) parameters, such as First NITBUT (F-NITBUT) and Average NITBUT (A-NITBUT), were evaluated in 132 glaucoma and 87 control eyes with the Keratograph 5M device. Further analysis of this data was used to determine size, location and progression of tear film break-up with automatically identified break-up areas (BUA). The progression from First BUA (F-BUA) to total BUA (T-BUA) was expressed as Dry Area Growth Rate (DAGR). Differences between both groups were analysed using Student t-test for parametric data and Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between parametric variables and Spearman in the case of non-parametric variables. Results F-NITBUT was 11.43±7.83 seconds in the control group and 8.17±5.73 in the glaucoma group (P=0.010). A-NITBUT was 14.04±7.21 and 11.82±6.09 seconds in control and glaucoma groups, respectively (P=0.028). F-BUA was higher in the glaucoma group than in the control group (2.73 and 2.28; P=0.022) and was more frequently located at the centre of the cornea in the glaucoma group (P=0.039). T-BUA was also higher in the glaucoma group than in the control group (13.24% and 9.76%; P=0.012) and the DAGR was steeper in the glaucoma group than in the control group (34.38º and 27.15º; P=0.009). Conclusions Shorter NITBUT values and bigger, more central tear film break-up locations were observed in the glaucoma group than in the control group. The DAGR indicates that tear film rupture is bigger and increases faster in glaucomatous eyes than in normal eyes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiting Chen ◽  
Xueyan Feng ◽  
Guangzeng Niu ◽  
Yuxiang Fan

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To evaluate dry eye (DE) and associated meibomian gland dysfunction parameters after Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a prospective observational case series. Patients who underwent ICL implantation without previous ocular diseases or ophthalmic treatments were enrolled. Their Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), noninvasive breakup time (NIBUT), meibography, slit-lamp examination of the lid margin, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), and Schirmer test I were examined preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 117 eyes of 60 patients were enrolled, and 107 eyes completed 3-month follow-up period. OSDI, lid marginal abnormality, and meibomian gland (MG) secretion, and meibum quality score were significantly higher at 1 month postoperatively and recovered partially at 3 months after surgeries, while NIBUT was significantly decreased all the time. Patients with previous DE symptoms (OSDI score ≥12) showed not only lower Schirmer and TBUT values but also higher CFS, lid margin score, MG loss, MG secretion, and meibum quality scores compared with those in the control group after operations. Low Schirmer, NIBUT values, and high meibum quality score were determined as risk factors for DE symptoms after ICL surgery. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> ICL implantation has a bad influence on the ocular surface and MG functions. The influence may be more obvious in patients with existing DE.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3365
Author(s):  
Benjie Law ◽  
Hui Yuh Soh ◽  
Syed Nabil ◽  
Rama Krsna Rajandram ◽  
Abd Jabar Nazimi ◽  
...  

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaws and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) are uncommon but serious diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region with clinically similar appearance but distinct pathophysiology. Management of ORN and MRONJ is inherently challenging and the treatment outcomes are unpredictable. The use of autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) to promote hard and soft tissue healing is well described in the literature, and the efficacy of leucocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) has been well documented in a number of clinical studies. The aim of this study was to present our treatment strategy and the outcomes of incorporating L-PRF as a surgical adjunct in management of ORN and MRONJ in our centre. Methods: eight cases of ORN and MRONJ were treated with a combination of sequestrectomy and L-PRF as a surgical adjunct. Results: the overall success was 87.5%. Using L-PRF as an adjunct, we were able to predictably manage ORN and MRONJ without causing significant morbidity. Conclusion: our experience shows that L-PRF may be used as a valuable and cost-effective adjunct to surgical management of ORN and MRONJ. However, due to a limited number of patients, and a short period of review, the true effectiveness of the method is yet to be demonstrated in a longer follow-up study including a greater number of patients, besides the inclusion of a control group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1130
Author(s):  
Xiaoke Yang ◽  
Yuanhao Huang ◽  
Xiaoying Cai ◽  
Yijing Song ◽  
Hui Jiang ◽  
...  

Upcycled food, a new kind of food, provides an effective solution to reduce the food waste from the source on the premise of food security for human beings. However, the commercial success of upcycled food and its contribution to environmental sustainability are determined by consumers’ purchase intentions. In order to overcome consumers’ unfamiliarity with upcycled food and fear of new technology, based on the cue utility theory, we adopted scenario simulation through online questionnaires in three experiments to explore how mental simulation can improve consumers’ product evaluation and purchase intentions for upcycled food. Through ANOVA, the t-test, and the Bootstrap methods, the results showed that, compared with the control group, consumers’ product evaluation and purchase intentions for upcycled food in the mental simulation group significantly increased. Among them, consumers’ inspiration played a mediation role. The consumers’ future self-continuity could moderate the effect of mental simulation on consumers’ purchase intentions for upcycled food. The higher the consumers’ future self-continuity, the stronger the effect of mental simulation. Based on the above results, in the marketing promotion of upcycled food, promotional methods, such as slogans and posters, could be used to stimulate consumers, especially the mental simulation thinking mode of consumer groups with high future self-continuity, thus improving consumers’ purchase intentions for upcycled food.


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