Usability and reproducibility of tear meniscus values generated via swept-source optical coherence tomography and the slit lamp with a graticule method

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the usability and the reproducibility of the tear meniscus values via swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and the conventional slit lamp microscope method with a graticule.MethodsThe right eye was examined in 90 healthy adult subjects who were grouped according to age (group 1: 20–39 years; group 2: 40–59 years; group 3: ≥60 years). The tear meniscus height (TMH) and tear meniscus area were measured using SS-OCT and TMH by the slit lamp microscope method. The reproducibility of each method was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) in additionally enrolled 30 healthy young subjects. We also evaluated TMH at 3 mm from the corneal center in both temporal and nasal directions using SS-OCT.ResultsThe mean of the TMH values measured by SS-OCT was significantly higher than those measured by the slit lamp method (328 vs. 212 μm, P < 0.001, respectively). High reproducibility was observed for each method (ICC > 0.75 for both). No statistically significant differences were found in TMH among the age groups using both SS-OCT and slit lamp methods (P = 0.985, 0.380, respectively). TMH values at both sides of the corneal center were significantly smaller than those at the corneal center (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsTMH values obtained by the slit lamp method were lower than those obtained by SS-OCT. However, both methods yielded highly reproducible TMH measurements, suggesting that they are clinically useful. Tear meniscus values did not vary by age but by measurement points in our cohort.

Diagnostic value of three simple and rapid dry eye tests: Lid parallel conjunctival folds, tear meniscus height and tear ferning

“…In our study mean value of TMH in group without DE was 0.17 mm. It is a bit lower than the one published by Immamura et al measured on slit-lamp with graticule for 3 different age groups of patients without DE (from younger to older: group 1, 206 µm, group 2, 209 µm, group 3, 226 µm) [15]. One would expect that average value in older group would be lower as in their study, but they assume that obstruction of lacrimal drainage that occurs with age may influence the results in their study.…”

“…Instead of using term normal meniscus tear height, we used the value of 0.2 mm as a cut-off value between stages. This value was considered as normal height for tear meniscus by other authors as well [15,16]. In order to form four grades as DEWS dry eye severity score system has, we divided stage 1 by Hӧh in two stages.…”

Automated Measurement of Tear Meniscus Height with the Kowa DR-1α Tear Interferometer in Both Healthy Subjects and Dry Eye Patients

“…Previous studies reported that lower tear meniscus values were negatively correlated with age using anterior-segment OCT, 33,35 but another study reported tear meniscus values did not vary by age. 36 Further studies are needed to reveal the relation between age and tear meniscus values.…”

Reduction in Ocular Hypotensive Eyedrops by Ab Interno Trabeculotomy Improves Not Only Ocular Surface Condition But Also Quality of Vision

“…evaluated the tear meniscus height using a tear turnover assessment test. The tear meniscus height was evaluated by adjusting the vertical length of a slit beam on the tear meniscus at the center of the lower lid, and the values were read from the slit-lamp scale [ 10 ].…”