A study on analogy and similitude in relation to tear stability and tear flow by using Schirmer\\\'s tear test and Fluorescein dye in patient attending south Indian tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Introduction: A stable tear film (precorneal film) with normal flow is essential for preserving a clear cornea. It gets affected in day to day life and results in dry eye syndrome due to irritation, stress, dust, fumes, toxins and other factors causing visual disturbances. Tear stability and tear flow study will give an estimate of the eye condition in order to take necessary measure to maintain eye in a healthy condition. Aim and Objectives: To determine the tear film stability and tear flow patient attending ophthalmology outpatient department and to assess relationship between tear flow and tear film stability. in Materials and Method:30 patients aged between 18 to 25 years complaining of various eye related problems were enrolled in our studies followed by tear film examination and tear flow test by using Schirmer test and Tear break up time respectively to find out tear film stability and tear flow. Statistics: Observations were mean±SD and Pearsons co-relation co-efficient was perform to analyse the data. p Results:The mean value of tear break up time in right eye was 9.894 ± 1.178 (p>0.05) and of the left eye was 9.798 ± 0.936 (p>0.05). The mean value of schirmer test in right eye was 22.43 ± 5.752 (p>0.05) and of the left eye was 22.93 ± 4.448 (p>0.05). The correlation between the schirmer test and Tear break up time in right eye with Pearsons correlation coefficient was calculated to be -0.298 (p>0.05) and of the left eye was 0.126 (p>0.05). Conclusion:This study concludes that there was no relation between Tear break up time and Schirmer test and are independent of each other. Keywords: Fluorescein dye, Schirmer's tear test, Tear break up time, Tear stability