Tear meniscus height and lipid layer pattern in seasonal allergic conjunctivitis patients outside the season

Abstract

Abstract Purpose to exam whether the previously published tear film abnormalities in allergic season remain outside the season in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC). Methods Thirty seven subjects’ (21 female, 16 male, mean age 27.2 ± 6.5 years) right eye were examined. Twenty three normal subjects and 14 asymptomatic allergic patients with positive allergic prick test were examined outside the season. All allergic patients had allergic symptoms at least during two earlier ragweed seasons. The tear film lipid pattern and tear meniscus height (TMH) were determinate with Keeler Tearscope Plus. The lipid pattern and the tear meniscus were recorded five times in each subject after a blink and three independent observers evaluated the photos. The lipid pattern was graded according to the user manual of Keeler Tearscope Plus. The non invasive tear break time (NIBUT) was also measured. Results The mean TMH were 0.204 ± 0.048 and 0.234 ± 0.101 mm in normal and allergic patients, respectively. The lipid patterns were in normal range in control and allergic patients except 1 normal and 1 allergic participant. There were no significant differences in TMH and lipid patterns between allergic and control subjects. The mean NIBUT were 17.0 ± 8.4 and 21.5 ± 10.1 seconds in normal and allergic group, and did not correlate with TMH and lipid pattern. Conclusion Outside the ragweed season the patients with SAC had healthy tear film status similar to normal patients. The allergic ocular inflammation during the season did not induce traceable tear film abnormalities outside the season.