G Singh1, H Singh Bhinder. 1. Guru Gobind Singh International Eye Research and Cure Centre, New Delhi--India. gurbax_s@yahoo.com
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship of symptoms of dry eye with closed chamber infrared thermometry and humidity measurements. METHODS: The authors studied 54 patients (108 eyes) with dry eye disorders of different grades of clinical severity (mean age 35.75+/-14.37 years), 31 cases (62 eyes) with normal eyes (mean age 33.68+/-14.42 years), and 10 cases (20 eyes) with epidemic conjunctivitis (mean age 33.68+/-14.42 years). The symptoms and the clinical tests (Schirmer-1 test, fluorescein tear break up time, Lissamine green stain; closed chamber infrared thermometry and humidity) were used to establish the diagnosis of dry eyes. The closed chamber humidity difference was used to classify the groups of dry eye. RESULTS: The authors noted no temperature difference from closed to open eye position in dry eyes as compared to 0.10 +/- 0.00 degrees C difference in normal eyes and epidemic conjunctivitis. Four groups of cases were identified by difference in values of humidity: Group 1 = <0.9 relative humidity (RH)% to 1 RH%; Group 2 = >1 RH% to 1.5 RH%; Group 3 = >1.5 RH% to 2 RH %; and Group 4 = >2 RH%. The symptomatology was measured in the eyes using Oxford scale (0-4) and correlated with the humidity groups. The grading of symptoms with the humidity showed a statistically significant relationship (p<0.0001) in each group. The severity of the symptoms showed an increase in frequency and severity from Group 1 to Group 4, which was statistically significant (p<0.0001). The mean sum total of global symptomatology score was statistically significant (p<0.0001): 3.43 +/- 0.31 in Group 1, 4.65+/-0.42 in Group 2, 8.56 +/- 0.78 in Group 3, and 13.35+/-1.21 in Group 4. However, total symptomatology score in epidemic conjunctivitis did not show a statistically significant value (p=0.20). CONCLUSIONS: The closed chamber humidity and thermometry measurements showed statistical correlation in all four groups of dry eyes to total mean symptomatology score (p<0.001) and showed an increase in value with increasing severity of symptoms. However, all individual symptoms fail to show any conclusive relationship.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship of symptoms of dry eye with closed chamber infrared thermometry and humidity measurements. METHODS: The authors studied 54 patients (108 eyes) with dry eye disorders of different grades of clinical severity (mean age 35.75+/-14.37 years), 31 cases (62 eyes) with normal eyes (mean age 33.68+/-14.42 years), and 10 cases (20 eyes) with epidemic conjunctivitis (mean age 33.68+/-14.42 years). The symptoms and the clinical tests (Schirmer-1 test, fluorescein tear break up time, Lissamine green stain; closed chamber infrared thermometry and humidity) were used to establish the diagnosis of dry eyes. The closed chamber humidity difference was used to classify the groups of dry eye. RESULTS: The authors noted no temperature difference from closed to open eye position in dry eyes as compared to 0.10 +/- 0.00 degrees C difference in normal eyes and epidemic conjunctivitis. Four groups of cases were identified by difference in values of humidity: Group 1 = <0.9 relative humidity (RH)% to 1 RH%; Group 2 = >1 RH% to 1.5 RH%; Group 3 = >1.5 RH% to 2 RH %; and Group 4 = >2 RH%. The symptomatology was measured in the eyes using Oxford scale (0-4) and correlated with the humidity groups. The grading of symptoms with the humidity showed a statistically significant relationship (p<0.0001) in each group. The severity of the symptoms showed an increase in frequency and severity from Group 1 to Group 4, which was statistically significant (p<0.0001). The mean sum total of global symptomatology score was statistically significant (p<0.0001): 3.43 +/- 0.31 in Group 1, 4.65+/-0.42 in Group 2, 8.56 +/- 0.78 in Group 3, and 13.35+/-1.21 in Group 4. However, total symptomatology score in epidemic conjunctivitis did not show a statistically significant value (p=0.20). CONCLUSIONS: The closed chamber humidity and thermometry measurements showed statistical correlation in all four groups of dry eyes to total mean symptomatology score (p<0.001) and showed an increase in value with increasing severity of symptoms. However, all individual symptoms fail to show any conclusive relationship.