Importance: Lipid layer thickness (LLT) reflects the lipid components of tear film, but is affected by the mucocutaneous components. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of the treatments for aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) on LLT. Objective: To investigate the effect of ADDE and its treatments on LLT measurements by tear interferometry. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective comparative interventional study included 152 eyes from 152 patients with ADDE. Interventions: Participants were classified into four groups: control group (Group 1), 3% diquafosol group (Group 2), punctal plug insertion group (Group 3), and combined treatment group (Group 4). Main Outcomes and Measures: Average LLT (LLTave) was measured using a LipiView® II tear interferometer at baseline and one month after treatments.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
152
Diquas® (Santen, Osaka, Japan), six times per day.
a silicone punctal occluder (Parasol® Punctal Occluder, BVI, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA), inserted into the lower eyelid
Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine
Seoul, South Korea
Average LLT (LLTave)
LLT was measured using the LipiView® II tear interferometer (Johnson \& Johnson, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA). The tear interferometer automatically records 20-second videos reflecting the TFLL on the inferior cornea. Simultaneously, the quantified LLT is measured over time in the interferometric color unit (ICU). One ICU corresponds to approximately 1 nm of LLT. The LipiView® II interferometer provides the average, maximum, and minimum LLT values. The average LLT (LLTave) reflects the LLT value at the stable phase of the TFLL spreading or equilibrium state.
Time frame: Baseline and one month after 1 month of treatments
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