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NR. 2/2006
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Przydatność testu
klinicznego – wskaźnika przepływu łez – w szybkim rozpoznawaniu
i różnicowaniu zespołu suchego oka
Usefulness of the Clinical
Test – Tear Function Index – in Quick Dry Eye Syndrome Diagnosis
and Differentiation
Agnieszka Kujawa, Radosław Różycki
IKlinika Okulistyczna Wojskowego Instytutu Medycznego w
Warszawie
Kierownik: prof. dr hab. n. med. Andrzej Stankiewicz |
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| Summary: |
The traditional diagnostic
method for detecting and distinguishing between the dry
eye syndrome and Sjögren’s syndrome requires a number of
tests. Most of them can be carried out in ophthalmologic
outpatient clinics but some of the more specific ones
require the resources of larger facilities. Because of
this situation, new testing methods are sought, which
would allow a reliable and rapid way to identify the
disorder. It is our belief that one of such methods is
provided by the evaluation of the tear function index (TFI)
which dynamically evaluates both the emission and the
flux of tears. The method’s advantage is great
sensitivity and specificity as well as the ability to
carry out the tests in outpatient clinics.
Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the
usefulness of a new testing method in quick dry eye
syndrome diagnosis and identification.
Materials and Methods: Patients who have been
diagnosed with dry eye syndrome (qualified on the basis
of a modified Bausch &Lomb protocol) were divided into 5
age groups. Each age group was matched with an
appropriate control group. In all, 100 people (200 eyes)
were tested. Into the conjunctival sacks of both eyes
0.5% fluorescein solution and 0.4% hydrochloric
oxybuprocain solution was administered using
micropipette. After five minutes the Schirmer II test
was performed. The result obtained was compared to a
standardized color scale by which fluorescein clearance
in tears was read. The tear function index was
calculated as the result of multiplying the Schirmer II
test results by the fluorescein clearance in tears.
Results: The results obtained were interpreted as
follows: a tear function index of over 96 was correct
with a lower result indicating the dry eye syndrome and
index of less than 34 suggesting the presence of the
Sjögren’s syndrome. In situations where the low tear
function index suggested Sjögren’s syndrome the final
diagnosis was made on the basis of European criteria.
Conclusions: 1. Determining the tear function
index simplifies detection and distinguishing process
between disorders of the surface of the eyeball. 2. It
is a quick, simple test which complements the existing
diagnostic methods used to identify the dry eye syndrome. |
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| Key words: |
Drye eye syndrome,
clinical test, diagnosis, differentiation. |
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