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Br J Ophthalmol 2009;93:66-72 doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.131722
  • Original Article

Concordance between common dry eye diagnostic tests

  1. J E Moore1,2,
  2. J E Graham1,
  3. E A Goodall1,
  4. D A Dartt3,
  5. A Leccisotti1,4,
  6. V E McGilligan1,
  7. T C B Moore1
  1. 1
    Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, UK
  2. 2
    Royal Group Hospitals, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
  3. 3
    Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  4. 4
    Casa di Cura Rugani, Siena, Italy
  1. Dr J E Moore, Room W1089, Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland BT52 1SA, UK; johnnymoorebal{at}googlemail.com
  • Accepted 18 August 2008
  • Published Online First 9 September 2008

Abstract

Aim: Large variations in results of diagnostic tests for mild to moderate dry eye are widely recognised. The purpose of this study was to assess if there was concordance between common dry eye diagnostic tests.

Methods: A total of 91 subjects were recruited to the study. The tear film and ocular surface were evaluated using the phenol red thread test (PRT), tear film break-up time (TBUT), biomicroscopic examination and impression cytological assessment of conjunctival goblet cells. Dry eye symptoms were assessed using McMonnies’ dry eye questionnaire (MQ) and statistical correlations between all tests were assessed.

Results: This study cohort did not include severe aqueous deficient dry eye patients as determined by the PRT. A statistically significant difference was noted between PRT results and all other tests (p≤0.001). Only Meibomian gland pathology, MQ, reduced goblet cell density and TBUT (≤7 s) demonstrated correlation determined by McNemar’s test.

Conclusion: A correlation was found only between tests assessing lipid/mucous deficiency (Meibomian gland evaluation, goblet cell density, TBUT and MQ).

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None declared.

  • Funding: Supported by the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland.

  • Ethics approval: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Office for Research Ethics Committees (OREC) Northern Ireland. The use of volunteers followed the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

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