Comparison of Evaporimetry With the Established Methods of Tear Film Measurement
Condition: Dry Eye Syndromes
MeSH terms: Dry Eye Syndromes; Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Purpose:

      To establish whether there is a correlation between dry eye symptoms, age and gender, a
      difference in symptom intensity in different times of the day, which test (Schirmer or TBUT)
      better correlates with dry eye symptoms, whether it is possible to reliably use cheap, easy
      to use hygrometer in everyday clinical setting, and finally whether there is statistically
      significant correlation between applied tests (TBUT, Schirmer and evaporimetry).

      Methods:

      Subjects: 45 in group without dry eye related symptoms, and 45 in group with symptoms.

      Examination included structured case history (questionnaire), slit lamp examination with
      fluorescein staining, periocular evaporimetry, TBUT test and Schirmer test.
    

Detailed description: 
      Purpose:

      The purpose of this study was to establish whether there is a correlation between dry eye
      symptoms, age and gender, any difference in symptom intensity in different times of the day,
      which test (Schirmer or TBUT) better correlates with dry eye symptoms, whether it is possible
      to reliably use cheap, easy to use hygrometer in everyday clinical setting, and, finally,
      whether there is statistically significant correlation between applied tests (TBUT, Schirmer
      and evaporimetry).

      Methods:

      Subjects were divided in two groups: 45 in group without dry eye related symptoms, and 45 in
      group with symptoms.

      Examination was performed in the following sequence:

        1. structured case history (questionnaire),

        2. evaporimetry

        3. slit lamp examination with fluorescein staining,

        4. TBUT test and

        5. Schirmer test I (without anesthetic, closed eyes)

      Case history consisted of the following questions:irritation more pronounced on wind?
      irritation during reading and/or watching TV or computer? irritation more pronounced during
      winter? gritty sensation in the eyes? irritation more pronounced in the morning or evening?
      All answers, except to the last question, were graded from 0 (no complaints) to 3 (severe).

      Evaporimetry was performed using commercially available hygrometer from HYGROTEC
      (Titisee-Neustadt, Germany), installed in swimming goggles with its front part sawn off.

      First measurement was performed by measuring for 5 minutes with eyes closed. Second
      measurement also lasted 5 minutes, with eyes kept open, normal blinking, and with subject
      fixating at one point in distance, with no eye movements.

      Measured parameters included:

      basal φ (%): relative environment humidity before measurement basal T: environment
      temperature before measurement closed eye φ (%): relative humidity in front of closed eye
      open eye φ (%): relative humidity in front of open eye C/O: ratio of φ (%) closed/open eye
    

Intervention name(s): Only measurements done on subjects in both groups.
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): As study compared specific diagnostic procedures, no intervention was done or compared.
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Patients were volunteers who came for a standard ophthalmological exam in Zagreb University
        Hospital Eye Clinic, and whose enrollment was based on convenience sampling.
      
Keywords: Dry eye Syndromes