The relation between invasive and non-invasive tear break-up time in young adults

Abstract

Tear stability normal to Nigerians with consideration of gender and age has not been reported. Tear stability in young adults was measured using invasive and non-invasive tear break-up time (TBUT and NIBUT). Forty –five subjects aged 20 to 30 years were selected from among the students of University of Benin, Edo State. NIBUT was measured by noting the time taken for distortion or diffusion or diffusion of the Keratometric mires on the corneal surface while TBUT was assessed by noting the time taken for dry spots to appear on fluoresce in treated eye. The mean NIBUT of the sample was 15.3±3.0 seconds and 15.2±3.1 seconds for TBUT. The relation between TBUT and NIBUT was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The difference in mean TBUT and NITBUT was also not significant (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in mean TBUT and NIBUT between males and females (P>0.05). TBUT and NIBUT values were independent of subject's age. The TBUT values were comparable to NIBUT values and as such either of the twotechniques can assuredly be used to assess the tear film stability. The status of the tear stability would helping selecting suitable candidates for contact lens wear.