This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Eter, N Articles by Göbbels, M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Eter, N Articles by Göbbels, M

A new technique for tear film fluorophotometry

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Nicole Eter, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany;
eter{at}uni-bonn.de

ABSTRACT
Aim: To develop a reliable and objective non-touch technique for determination of tear volume and tear secretion by means of tear film fluorophotometry.

Methods: 10 defined concentrations of sodium fluorescein were given in an artificial chamber and measured by the Fluorotron Master (Coherent Radiation Inc). A calibration line was established and the calibration equation was programmed into the Fluorotron Master computer software. In 28 patients (56 eyes) with dry eye symptoms and 15 volunteers (30 eyes) tear volume and tear secretion were then measured directly without taking a tear sample, using the new technique.

Results: The values obtained by the Fluorotron Master measuring 10 defined fluorescein concentrations within an artificial chamber are approximately 100 times lower than the actual concentrations. The calibration line led to a calibration equation: y = 36 + 0.01 x X. The mean tear secretion in 56 eyes of patients with dry eye symptoms was 2.48 µl/min, compared to 3.4 µl/min in healthy volunteers. The difference was statistically significant. Average tear volume was 7.0 µl in patients and 7.2 µl in healthy volunteers with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion: The method developed is a simple and reliable non-touch technique without the need for taking a tear sample, which makes the examination faster and more comfortable for the patient.

Keywords: fluorophotometry; tear film; tear volume; tear secretion

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V A Smith, D Khan-Lim, L Anderson, S D Cook, and A D Dick Does orally administered doxycycline reach the tear film? Br. J. Ophthalmol., June 1, 2008; 92(6): 856 - 859. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J D Aronowicz, W E Shine, D Oral, J M Vargas, and J P McCulley Short term oral minocycline treatment of meibomianitis Br. J. Ophthalmol., July 1, 2006; 90(7): 856 - 860. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]