Keratitis Sicca and Dry Eye Syndrome

Ocular discomfort and conjunctival alterations in operating room workers. A single-institution pilot study

“…Information concerning the personal characteristics, perception of environmental comfort and the relationship between the onset of symptoms and the work shift were also gathered [5,6,7,19].…”

Ocular Allergic Diseases: Differential Diagnosis, Examination Techniques, and Testing

“…[13] True dry eye develops from decreased tear production, increased tear evaporation, or an abnormality in specific components of the aqueous, lipid, or mucin layers that comprise the tear film. [2,6,14,15] Although dry eye may result from intrinsic tear pathology, it is frequently associated with other ocular disorders, such as ocular allergy and chronic blepharitis, and systemic diseases, including fifth or seventh nerve palsies, BIELORY, DINOWITZ, AND RESCIGNO 336 collagen vascular disease, Sjögren's syndrome, vitamin A deficiency, pemphigoid, and trauma. Dry eye is also associated with many pharmacologic agents, including antihistamines, anticholinergics, and some psychotropics.…”

“…Dry eye is also associated with many pharmacologic agents, including antihistamines, anticholinergics, and some psychotropics. [2,6,14,15] Symptoms of dry eye are vague and include foreign body sensation, easily fatigued eyes, dryness, burning, ocular pain, photophobia, and blurry vision. Symptoms may be worse late in the day after prolonged use of the eyes or exposure to environmental conditions.…”

“…The Schirmer and vital staining tests, including fluorescein and rose bengal, are the most useful for diagnosing dry eye (see procedures, described below). [13,14] The Schirmer test quantitatively measures the amount of tears produced by the lacrimal gland. Fluorescein dye stains denuded corneal and conjunctival epithelium and is known to pool in surface irregularities.…”

“…It is typically used to demonstrate tear film meniscus height, punctate epithelial defects in the cornea, and tear film breakup time (TBUT). [14,15] In contrast to fluorescein, rose bengal stains devitalized, degenerated, and dead epithelial cells of the cornea and conjunctiva (Fig. 4).…”