Correlation and consistency of three methods for tear evaluation in the diagnosis of dry eye

Abstract:

AIM:To explore the correlation and consistency of three tear assessment methods in the diagnosis of dry eye, which include the Schirmer Ⅰ test(SⅠt), tear meniscus height(TMH)measurement and a new generation of tear detection technology-Strip meniscometry tube(SMTube).METHODS: A diagnostic test study. A total of 183 dry eye outpatients(183 right eyes)in the Dry Eye Center of Henan Eye Hospital were enrolled from May to June 2021. The SⅠt, TMH and SMTube were performed on all patients, and the correlation and consistency of the measurement results were analyzed.RESULTS:The ocular surface disease index(OSDI)of all included patients was 43.75(31.25, 58.33), noninvasive breakup time(NIBUT)was 7.26(4.97, 9.37)s, and the results of SⅠt, TMH and SMTube were 6(2, 12)mm/5min, 0.18(0.14, 0.22)mm and 5(3,8)mm/5s, respectively; The results of correlation analysis: TMH was positively correlated with SMTube(rs=0.751, P<0.001), however, SⅠt had no correlation with TMH(rs=0.139, P=0.060)and SMTube(rs=0.019, P=0.799). The results of consistency analysis: TMH showed good consistency with SMTube(Kappa=0.794, P=0.044), however, SⅠt showed poor consistency with TMH(Kappa=0.271, P=0.074)and SMTube(Kappa=0.193, P=0.070)respectively.CONCLUSION:SMTube is a new, simple and convenient tool for evaluating tear volume. It has a good correlation and consistency with TMH measurement results. Therefore, it can replace TMH measurement, but cannot replace SⅠt in clinical application.

Key words:Schirmer Ⅰ test; tear meniscus height; strip meniscometry tube; tear evaluation method