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Comprehensive assessment of tear film dynamics in pediatric vernal keratoconjunctivitis using a novel non-invasive
Ayşenur Gülcü1, Sevil Karaman Erdur1, Munise Altınbaş1
1İstanbul Medipol University, Department of Ophthalmology, Turkey.
Insights
Children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) show significantly reduced tear film stability and blink function, as measured by the MYAH device. These tear film changes correlate with disease severity, suggesting potential biomarkers for monitoring VKC in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Ocular Surface Disease
Background:
- Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a common allergic eye condition in children.
- Tear film dysfunction can contribute to ocular surface disease in VKC.
- Objective assessment of tear film parameters is crucial for understanding VKC pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively evaluate tear film parameters in children with VKC using the MYAH device.
- To compare tear film parameters between children with VKC and healthy controls.
- To investigate the correlation between tear film parameters and VKC severity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, case-control study involving 45 children with VKC and 45 healthy controls.
- Non-invasive ocular surface assessment using the MYAH system.
- Evaluation of non-invasive tear break-up time (NI-TBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), blink rate, and ocular protection index (OPI).
Main Results:
- Children with VKC exhibited significantly lower NI-TBUT, TMH, blink rate, and OPI compared to controls.
- NI-TBUT and TMH showed moderate negative correlations with VKC clinical severity scores.
- These findings highlight significant tear film alterations in pediatric VKC.
Conclusions:
- The MYAH device provides a non-invasive, pediatric-friendly method for assessing tear film dynamics in VKC.
- Altered tear film parameters in VKC patients may serve as biomarkers for disease severity.
- Objective tear film assessment can aid in monitoring and managing pediatric VKC.
Purpose:
To objectively evaluate tear film parameters in children diagnosed with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) using the MYAH device, and to compare the findings with those of healthy controls.
Methods:
This cross-sectional, case-control study included 45 children with clinically diagnosed VKC and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent non-invasive ocular surface assessment using the MYAH system. The evaluated parameters included non-invasive tear break-up time (NI-TBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), blink rate, and ocular protection index (OPI). Correlations between tear film parameters and VKC severity scores were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.
Results:
Compared to the control group, the VKC group showed significantly lower values in NI-TBUT (5.2 ± 2.1 s vs. 12.8 ± 3.6 s, p < 0.001), TMH (0.18 ± 0.07 mm vs. 0.28 ± 0.05 mm, p < 0.001), blink rate (11 ± 5 vs. 17 ± 4 blinks/min, p = 0.002), and OPI (2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 6.8 ± 2.0, p < 0.001). NI-TBUT and TMH demonstrated moderate negative correlations with clinical severity scores (r = -0.62, p < 0.001 and r = -0.58, p < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion:
Children with VKC exhibit significant alterations in tear film dynamics, even in the absence of visual acuity loss. The MYAH device offers a non-invasive, and pediatric-friendly approach for objectively assessing tear film stability and blink behavior. These parameters may serve as useful biomarkers for disease severity and monitoring in pediatric VKC.
