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Screening for dry eye with newly developed ocular surface thermographer
Tomoyuki Kamao1, Masahiko Yamaguchi, Shiro Kawasaki
1Department of Ophthalmology, Medicine of Sensory Function, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan.
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|February 22, 2011
Summary
The Ocular Surface Thermographer effectively screens for dry eye disease. This noninvasive device measures ocular surface temperature changes, showing significant differences in dry eye patients after 10 seconds.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Devices
- Diagnostic Technology
Background:
- Dry eye disease is a prevalent condition affecting ocular surface health.
- Accurate and noninvasive screening methods are crucial for early diagnosis and management.
- Existing diagnostic tools may have limitations in speed or patient comfort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the Ocular Surface Thermographer (TOMEY Corporation) as a novel tool for dry eye screening.
- To assess the reliability and diagnostic performance of ocular surface temperature measurements.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, controlled study involving 30 dry eye patients and 30 healthy controls.
- Ocular surface temperature was measured immediately after eye opening and every second for 10 seconds.
- Correlations were analyzed between temperature changes and standard dry eye tests (tear film break-up time, Schirmer I, fluorescein staining).
Main Results:
- Ocular surface temperature measurements demonstrated high reliability.
- A significantly greater decrease in ocular surface temperature was observed in dry eye patients compared to controls at 10 seconds (P < .001).
- Corneal temperature decrease correlated with tear film break-up time (r = -0.572; P < .001), with 83% sensitivity and 80% specificity at 10 seconds.
Conclusions:
- The Ocular Surface Thermographer provides reliable and reproducible measurements.
- Temperature changes after 10 seconds of eye opening show potential as a simple, noninvasive screening method for dry eye.
- This device may offer a valuable addition to the diagnostic armamentarium for dry eye disease.
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