P Prabhasawat1, S C Tseng. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Abstract
AIM: To explore the pathogenic role of delayed tear clearance. METHODS: By comparing 10 patients with punctal obstruction and 20 asymptomatic normals, delayed tear clearance was diagnosed in 70 patients without apparent punctal obstruction using fluorescein clearance test. RESULTS: The majority were older (71.4 (SD 1.2) years) and women (66%). Frequent complaints included redness, itching, mucus discharge, and crusting, which tended to be worse upon awakening. Common associated problems were medicamentosa (13%), drug induced pseudopemphigoid, ocular hypertension (27%), and glaucoma (7%). Topical non-preserved 1% methylprednisolone resulted in subjective (83%) and objective (80%) improvement and resolution of delayed tear clearance (87%). CONCLUSION: These results indicate strong association of delayed tear clearance with intrinsically and extrinsically generated ocular surface inflammation. The presence of delayed tear clearance may set up a vicious cycle to aggravate the existing inflammation. Future prospective studies are needed to delineate the pathogenic role of delayed tear clearance in various ocular surface disorders.
AIM: To explore the pathogenic role of delayed tear clearance. METHODS: By comparing 10 patients with punctal obstruction and 20 asymptomatic normals, delayed tear clearance was diagnosed in 70 patients without apparent punctal obstruction using fluorescein clearance test. RESULTS: The majority were older (71.4 (SD 1.2) years) and women (66%). Frequent complaints included redness, itching, mucus discharge, and crusting, which tended to be worse upon awakening. Common associated problems were medicamentosa (13%), drug induced pseudopemphigoid, ocular hypertension (27%), and glaucoma (7%). Topical non-preserved 1% methylprednisolone resulted in subjective (83%) and objective (80%) improvement and resolution of delayed tear clearance (87%). CONCLUSION: These results indicate strong association of delayed tear clearance with intrinsically and extrinsically generated ocular surface inflammation. The presence of delayed tear clearance may set up a vicious cycle to aggravate the existing inflammation. Future prospective studies are needed to delineate the pathogenic role of delayed tear clearance in various ocular surface disorders.
Authors: H Westekemper; G Anastassiou; W Sauerwein; P Chauvel; N Bornfeld; K-P Steuhl; D Meller Journal: Ophthalmologe Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 1.059
Authors: B A Noble; R S K Loh; S MacLennan; K Pesudovs; A Reynolds; L R Bridges; J Burr; O Stewart; S Quereshi Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Date: 2004-05 Impact factor: 4.638