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2018 OMIG Abstract

Dynamic assessment of the Tear Film Muco-Aqueous and Lipid Layers Using a Novel Tear Film Imager (TFI)

Fani Segev, MD^1,2,a, Noa Geffen, MD^1,2,a, Anat Galor, MD, MSPH^3,4, Yoel Cohen, PhD^5,a,
Raanan Gefen, BS^5,a,d, Avner Belikin, MD¹, Yoel Arieli PhD^5,6,a, Shlomi Epshtein MSc^5,a,
Anat Oren, PhD^2,b, Alon Harris, PhD^{5,7,a,c,d,e
1}Meir Medical Center,  ²Tel Aviv University,  ³Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 
⁴‎Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, ⁵AdOM advanced optical technologies, ⁶The Jerusalem College of Technology, ⁷Indiana University

Methods: Prospective study of individuals with and without dry eye (DE). Two sequential images were obtained with the TFI. Measurements were assessed for reproducibility and compared to clinically derived DE metrics. Individuals were grouped into DE categories based on both ‘signs only’ and ‘symptoms and signs’ of disease (controls, mild-moderate, severe).

Results: 49 patients participated in the study with a mean age of 58.8 years (standard deviation 15.9) and a female majority (69%).Reproducibility of the Muco-Aqueous Tear Layer Thickness (MALT) was excellent (r=0.88). MALT measurements significantly correlated with Schirmer score (r=0.31). Lipid Break Up Time (LBUT) as measured by the TFI significantly correlated with clinically measured Tear Break Up Time (r=0.73). MALT and LBUT were significantly thinner and shorter, respectively, in the DE groups (mild-moderate and severe) compared to the control group, both for the ‘signs only’ and ‘symptoms and signs’ DE categories. The TFI was able to diagnose DE disease with 87% sensitivity and 88% specificity, as compared to clinically assigned categories.

Conclusion: The TFI is the first machine capable of reproducibly measuring muco-aqueous thickness in human subjects which correlates with Schirmer score. In parallel, it assesses other important aspects of tear film function which correlate with clinician assessed DE metrics.

Disclosure: S, P

Support: (Dr. Galor):Supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development, Clinical Sciences Research EPID-006-15S (Dr. Galor), R01EY026174 (Dr. Galor), NIH Center Core Grant P30EY014801, and Research to Prevent Blindness Unrestricted Grant.

Conflicts of interest: Several members have conflicts of interests as listed above. Dr Galor has no conflict of interests to report. ^aEquity and consulting to AdOM, advance optical technologies Ltd., ^bConsulting to AdOM, advance optical technologies Ltd., ^cConsulting to Shire, CIPLA and BioLight Life Sciences Investments Ltd., ^dEquity of Nano Retina Ltd., ^eEquity of Oxymap Ltd.

2018 Agenda and Abstracts | < Previous Next >