Optical quality metrics may help evaluate artificial tear efficacy

In this prospective case-control study, 59 patients with DED and 31 control subjects were evaluated for ocular surface included Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TBUT), lipid layer thickness (LLT), and Schirmer I test. Patients with DED were divided into a mild group (31 patients) and a severe group (28 patients).

One drop of ATs (carboxymethylcellulose ophthalmic solution, 0.5%) was administered in both eyes after baseline examinations were concluded. Optical quality parameters were measured again at 5 minutes and 30 minutes following administration of ATs.

The mean OSI was higher in the DED group (0.95 ± 0.54) than in controls (0.54 ± 0.23, P < 0.001) at baseline and the SD-OSI was also significantly increased in DED patients (0.44 ± 0.71) compared to control subjects (0.12 ± 0.06, P = 0.003).

At 5 minutes after AT administration, the mean OSI and SD-OSI decreased significantly in severe patients with DED, was unchanged in patients with mild DED, and increased in participants in the control group. At 30 minutes after AT administration, there was no significant difference in optical quality parameters amongst the groups.

Reference

Wei Z, Su Y, Su G, et al. Effect of artificial tears on dynamic optical quality in patients with dry eye disease. BMC Ophthalmol. 2022;22(1):64. doi: 10.1186/s12886-022-02280-7. PMID: 35144571; PMCID: PMC8830171.