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Validation of a New Software Application for Tear Breakup Measurement
Hugo Pena-Verdeal, Lucía Ramos1, Jacobo Garcia-Queiruga2
1Departamento de Computación (VARPA), Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain.
Summary
A new software automatically measures tear film breakup time (BUT), a key factor in dry eye disease. This objective method shows reliable results comparable to human evaluation, aiding clinical diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Tear film instability is a primary cause of dry eye disease.
- Current methods for assessing tear film stability lack repeatability and reproducibility.
- There is a need for improved diagnostic tools for dry eye disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate an automated software method for measuring tear film breakup time (BUT).
- To assess the reliability and objectivity of the automated BUT measurement compared to subjective evaluations.
Main Methods:
- 264 videos of BUT were analyzed by two masked observers (subjective) and automated software (objective).
- Automated analysis involved video processing, region of interest extraction, and BUT measurement based on color and texture.
- Inter-examiner reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient and t-tests.
Main Results:
- Substantial correlation (ICC=0.752) was found between automated and subjective BUT measurements.
- The software showed no significant difference compared to observer evaluations (P ≥ .26).
- Results remained consistent when analyzing only shorter BUT values (≤15 seconds).
Conclusions:
- The automated software provides acceptable clinical results for objective BUT measurement.
- This tool has the potential to improve the speed and reliability of dry eye diagnosis.
- Objective BUT measurement can enhance the clinical evaluation of tear film stability.
