Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2025
Author Spotlight: Isolating Biomolecules from Mouse Tears — A Methodology for Molecular Analysis and Biomarker Research
Published on: July 19, 2024
Quality of vision and tear film osmolarity
David Gallagher1, Daire J Hurley, Brian O'Tuama1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Significance:
We evaluate the relationship between tear film osmolarity measurements and quality of vision in patients presenting for routine eye clinic appointments. We found that the hyperosmolar group (>316 mOsm/L) had a worse quality-of-vision score than the normal osmolarity group, with glare being the most problematic symptom.
Purpose:
Quality of vision is a perception and measure of real-world vision, which is not measured routinely in a clinical setting. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between tear film osmolarity measurements and quality of vision in patients presenting for routine eye clinic appointments.
Methods:
This was an observational nonrandomized study. The participants were placed in groups based on tear film osmolarity (normal, ≤316 mOsm/L; hyperosmolar, >316 mOsm/L; or a difference of >8 mOsm/L between each eye). Thirty-three participants were enrolled in the study, of whom 22 were deemed to have a hyperosmolar tear film. A 30-item questionnaire including 10 symptoms rated on scales of frequency, severity, and bothersomeness was administered to participants in both groups. The quality-of-vision score ranged from 25 to 100 points, with lower scores indicating better quality of vision.
Results:
The hyperosmolar group had a significantly worse quality-of-vision score than the normal osmolarity group across all three scales; mean differences for frequency, severity, and bothersomeness were 12.66 ± 9.75 (p=0.003), 9.44 ± 7.45 (p=0.003), and 11.90 ± 11.14 (p=0.008), respectively. Of the 10 symptoms that were included in the questionnaire, glare was the most problematic in the hyperosmolar group.
Conclusions:
In this study, we demonstrated a significant relationship between tear film hyperosmolarity and quality of vision, as patients with hyperosmolar tear films had worse quality of vision.
