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Tear normalization test highly sensitive, specific for dry eye in study
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The tear film normalization test was highly sensitive and specific for diagnosing dry eye syndrome in a small study.
The test consists of measuring uncorrected distance visual acuity before and after instillation of carboxymethylcellulose lubricating drops, according to Robert Latkany, MD, and colleagues at the of New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. If visual acuity improves after the tear film normalizes, the subject likely has dry eye.
The simple test is "highly sensitive and specific ... for dry eyes and is available in every eye care professional's office," the study authors said. "The more symptomatic the dry eye, the greater the improvement."
The researchers evaluated the tear film normalization test in 40 eyes of 20 patients with dry eye syndrome and 40 eyes of 20 normal control patients. They measured uncorrected distance visual acuity before and after the instillation of Refresh Plus lubricating eye drops (carboxymethylcellulose 0.5%, Allergan).
Visual improvement of at least two lines after the instillation was associated with dry eye with a sensitivity of 82.5% sensitivity and a specificity of 100%. There was also a significant correlation between visual improvement and ocular surface disease index scores in subjects with dry eye (P = .003), according to the study authors.
The study is published in the December issue of Cornea.