Immediate impact of hyaluronic and methylcellulose artificial tears on tear film stability

Abstract

AbstractPurpose To evaluate immediate impact of hyaluronic and methylcellulose artificial tears on tear film stability.Methods We performed keratography with tear film analyze in 21 volunteers using Keratograph 4 (Oculus, Germany). After base measurement, volunteers received topical artificial tears drops containing 0.15% Sodium Hyaluronate into right eye and 0.5% Carboxyl Methylcellulose into left eye. After 15 and 30 minutes keratography measurements were repeated.Results In keratography analyzes we observed 4 types of tear film instability, short‐time break‐up on small area or big area, long‐time break‐up on small or big area. Mean size of tear meniscus in right eyes before drops was 0.3±0.1 mm and 0.32±0.09/0.33±0.09 mm 15/30 minutes after hyaluronic drops respectively (p<0.05, Kruskal‐Wallis test). In left eyes tear meniscus size was 0.32±0.1/0.33±0.1/0.34±0.1 mm respectively before and after methylcellulose drops (p<0.05, Kruskal‐Wallis test). First and mean non‐invasive break‐up‐time in right eyes was 10.7/16.8 sec before drops and 12/18; 12/17 – 15 and 30 minutes after hyaluronic drops application (p>0.05, Kruskal‐Wallis test). In left eyes these parameters were 12/16; 13/18 and 13/17 sec respectively before and after methylcellulose drops (p>0.05, Kruskal‐Wallis test).Conclusion Immediate impact of hyaluronic and methylcellulose artificial tears on tear film seems to be related more to increase of tear meniscus size, not to tear film break‐up time or break‐up surface. Keratograhy measurements allow for detail analyzes of tear film state, which includes not only break‐up time but also break‐up surface, which could be novel indicator for tear film stability impossible to measure in classic slit lamp.