Abstract | PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic efficacy of a modification of the fluorescein dye disappearance test ( DDT) in patients with different degrees of epiphora. METHODS:
DDT was performed by instilling a drop of 2% fluorescein in the eye. Schirmer tear test strips were placed in the lower conjunctival fornix, after 3 and 10 minutes. The colour dilution on the strips was compared to a scale with known standards and the most closely comparable colour dilution was chosen and recorded as the visual scale test (VST) grade of the strip. The grey-scale value (GV) of each strip was calculated by computer image analysis. The control group comprised 44 patients, mean age 44.8 years (SD 7.5, range 30-60). There were 13 patients in group 1 with moderate epiphora; mean age was 44.2 years (SD 9.5, range 30-60). There were 17 patients in group 2 with severe epiphora; mean age was 48.3 years (SD 7.7, range 37- 60). RESULTS: VST and GV differed significantly between controls and group 1 patients at 3 minutes (p=0.002, p=0.001), and between controls and group 2 patients at 3 minutes (p<0.001, p<0.001). There was no difference between groups 1 and 2 patients in VST and GV at 3 minutes. The differences were highly significant between controls and group 1 at 10 minutes (p=0.001, p=0.007), and between controls and group 2 at 10 minutes (p<0.001, p<0.001). The differences in GV and VST between groups 1 and 2 were significant at 10 minutes (p=0.026, p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: This modified DDT permits identification of different degrees of epiphora in a non-invasive manner, it can therefore be used to evaluate the outcome of different treatment strategies.
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Authors | A B Toprak, E F Erkin, O Kayikçioğlu, G Seymenoğlu, C Güler, H H Unlu |
Journal | European journal of ophthalmology
(Eur J Ophthalmol)
2002 Sep-Oct
Vol. 12
Issue 5
Pg. 359-65
ISSN: 1120-6721 [Print] United States |
PMID | 12474916
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Contrast Media
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- Fluorescein
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Topics |
- Adult
- Contrast Media
(administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics)
- Control Groups
- Female
- Fluorescein
(administration & dosage, pharmacokinetics)
- Humans
- Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases
(diagnosis, metabolism)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- Random Allocation
- Single-Blind Method
- Tears
(physiology)
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