Imaging: Clinical Science

Serial Measurement of Tear Meniscus by FD-OCT After Instillation of Artificial Tears in Patients With Dry Eyes

Matthew C. Bujak, MD; Samuel Yiu, MD, PhD; Xinbo Zhang, PhD; Yan Li, PhD; David Huang, MD, PhD

  • Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging
  • July/August 2011 - Volume 42 · Issue 4: 308-313
  • DOI: 10.3928/15428877-20110603-02
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To use Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) to study the effect of artificial tears on the tear meniscus in patients with dry eyes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The lower tear meniscus of 16 consecutive patients with dry eyes was imaged by an FD-OCT system (RTVue; Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA). Baseline and five serial pairs of measurements were taken after the instillation of artificial tears (Optive; Allergan, Irvine, CA) at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. The lower meniscus height, depth, and area were measured with a computer caliper.

RESULTS:

Baseline meniscus measurements were 235.5 ± 150.0 μm, 138.1 ± 78.7 μm, and 0.020 ± 0.022 mm2 for height, depth, and area, respectively. After instillation of artificial tears, all lower tear meniscus parameters remained significantly elevated for 5 minutes and returned to baseline by 10 minutes.

CONCLUSION:

FD-OCT is able to quantify a dramatic initial increase in tear meniscus, followed by a decay back to baseline values after approximately 5 minutes. FD-OCT may be useful in objectively quantifying the dynamic efficacy of dry eye treatments.

AUTHORS

From Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Supported by R24EY13015, R01EY018184, research grant from Optovue, Inc., a grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Charles C. Manger III, MD, Chair in Corneal Laser Surgery endowment.

Dr. Huang received stock options, patent royalty, and travel support from Optovue, Inc. (Fremont, CA). Drs. Huang, Li, and Zhang received research grant support from Optovue, Inc. The remaining authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the materials presented herein.

Address correspondence to Samuel Yiu, MD, PhD, Doheny Eye Institute, 1450 San Pablo St., Suite 5704, Los Angeles, CA 90033. E-mail: samuelyiu@alumni.usc.edu

doi: 10.3928/15428877-20110603-02

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