Evaluation of Dry Eye With Videokeratographer Using a Newly Developed Indicator

To analyze the effectiveness of a newly developed indicator that quantitatively assesses disturbance in Meyer-ring (MR) images obtained via videokeratographer and assess its usefulness for the clinical evaluation of dry eye (DE).

Cross-sectional study.

This study involved 79 eyes of 79 DE patients (10 males and 69 females; mean age: 62.7 years). After MR images were obtained via videokeratographer, the degree of blur was quantified at multiple points on the ring, with the total value across the cornea being defined as the disturbance value (DV). Correlations between total DV (TDV; the sum of DV for 5 seconds after eye opening) and 12 DE symptoms, Dry Eye-Related Quality of Life Score (DEQS), tear meniscus radius (mm), tear film (TF) lipid-layer spread grade (SG; grades 1-5, 1 = best), TF noninvasive breakup time (NIBUT, seconds), fluorescein breakup time (FBUT, seconds), corneal epithelial damage score (CEDS; maximum: 15 points), conjunctival epithelial damage score (CjEDS; maximum: 6 points), and Schirmer 1 test value (mm) were analyzed via univariate and multivariate analyses.

No significant correlations were found between TDV and each DE symptom or DEQS, yet significant correlations were found between TDV and SG, NIBUT, FBUT, CEDS, and CjEDS (r = 0.56, -0.45, -0.45, 0.72, and 0.62, respectively, all P < .01). TDV was found to be described as 2334 + (412.1 × CEDS) - (302.0 × FBUT) (R² = 0.593, P < .0001).

Our newly developed indicator, DV, reflecting TF dynamics and stability and corneoconjunctival epithelial damage, may be useful for quantitatively assessing DE ocular-surface abnormalities.