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Concordance between common dry eye diagnostic tests
  1. Joanna E Graham (j.graham1{at}ulster.ac.uk),
  2. Jonathan E Moore (johnnymoorebal{at}googlemail.com),
  3. Edward A Goodall (edwardagoodall{at}hotmail.com),
  4. Darlene A Dartt (darlene.dartt{at}schepens.harvard.edu),
  5. Antonio Leccisotti (leccisotti{at}libero.it),
  6. Victoria E McGilligan (v.mcgilligan{at}ulster.ac.uk),
  7. Tara CB Moore (t.moore{at}ulster.ac.uk)
  1. University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
  2. Royal Group Hospitals, Belfast, Northern Ireland
  3. University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
  4. Schepen's Eye Research Institute, United States
  5. Casa di Cura Rugani, Italy
  6. University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
  7. University of Ulster, Northern Ireland

    Abstract

    Purpose: 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, tear break up time (TBUT), biomicroscopic examination and impression cytological (IC) assessment of conjunctival goblet cells. Dry eye symptoms were assessed using McMonnies questionnaire 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 phenol red thread test (PRT). A statistically significant difference was noted between PRT results and all other tests (***P ¡Ü 0.001). Only meibomian gland pathology, McMonnies questionnaire, reduced goblet cell density and TBUT (¡Ü7 seconds) demonstrated correlation determined by McNemar¡¯s test.

    Conclusion: A correlation was only found between tests assessing lipid/mucous deficiency (meibomian gland evaluation, goblet cells density, TBUT, and McMonnies questionnaire).

    https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2007.131722

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