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Fourier-domain anterior segment OCT could become valuable diagnostic tool for dry eye
Cornea. 2011;30(5):543-549.
Fourier-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography can provide blur-free imaging and exact measurement of the tear meniscus, which could be helpful in dry eye screening and diagnosis, according to a study.
The prospective, randomized, case-control study included 146 patients with dry eye and 160 healthy controls. Subjects were categorized into four groups by age, ranging from 0 years to older than 60 years.
Tear meniscus values had a significant correlation with clinical examination results and dry eye syndrome, the study said.
Compared with the controls, patients with dry eye had significantly lower mean tear meniscus height, depth and cross-sectional area values (P < .05). Researchers also observed significant differences in the tear meniscus borderline, cross-sectional area and tear transparency between the two groups.
According to the study, tear meniscus values negatively correlated with age in healthy Chinese subjects, but intraindividual variations in OCT results were small in each group.
The RTVue-100 (Optovue) was approximately 70% accurate in diagnosing dry eye, and increasing age lowered the clinical diagnostic critical point, the study said.
The authors noted that the results are only preliminary, considering dry eye is "a complex condition with multiple causal factors." Larger studies are necessary to determine the role of Fourier-domain OCT in dry eye diagnosis, they said.