Effect of Eye Spray Phospholipid Concentration on the Tear Film and Ocular Comfort.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of eye spray phospholipid concentration on symptoms and tear film stability. METHODS: High-concentration (Tears Again, Optima Pharma GmbH, Hallbergmoos, Germany) and low-concentration (Ocuvers, Innomedis AG, Germany) phospholipid eye sprays were sprayed onto the closed eyelids of 30 subjects (33.2±1.8 years; 20 women) in a multicentered, prospective, crossover study. Ocular comfort (visual analog scale) and noninvasive tear film stability (NIBUT) of each eye were evaluated before application (along with the Ocular Surface Disease Index), 10 min after application, and 30 min after application. RESULTS: Comfort (high concentration: 68.5±16.4 vs. low concentration: 70.7±14.5 phospholipid) and NIBUT (high concentration: 11.5±4.6 sec vs. low concentration: 11.2±6.0 sec phospholipid) were not different (P>0.3) between sprays before application, but comfort (by 12 points, P=0.001) and NIBUT (by 5 sec, P=0.016) were significantly better with a high-concentration phospholipid spray at both 10 min and 30 min time points than those with the low-concentration phospholipid spray. CONCLUSIONS: The liposomal eye spray with higher concentration of phospholipids significantly improved ocular comfort and tear film stability in contrast to the eye spray with lower concentration of phospholipids, hence practitioners need to choose an appropriate eye spray to maximize the patient benefit.

Relationships Between Meibomian Gland Loss and Age, Sex, and Dry Eye.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated relationships between meibomian gland loss (MGL) and age, sex, and dry eye. METHODS: Dry eye and MGL of the lower eyelid was evaluated from 112 randomly selected subjects (66 women; mean age 62.8; SD ±15.7; and age range: 19-89 years) from Horst Riede GmbH, Weinheim, Germany. In addition, subjects were grouped into dry eye and non-dry eye by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, lid-parallel conjunctival folds and non-invasive break-up time. Symptoms were evaluated by the OSDI. Meibography of the lower eyelid was performed using a Cobra camera (bon Optic, Lübeck, Germany), and images were analyzed by its digital grading tool. Data were analyzed by backward, multiple regression analyses and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Analyzing all subjects, multiple regression analyses detected that age and dry eye status (dry eye diagnosis or OSDI) but not sex were significantly related to MGL. In both, non-dry eye (n=66) and dry eye subjects (n=46), dry eye status (OSDI) but not age or sex was significantly related to MGL. Ocular Surface Disease Index scores were significantly correlated with MGL, but this correlation was stronger among all subjects (Pearson correlation; r=0.536, P<0.001) and dry eye group subjects (r=0.520, P<0.001) than in non-dry eye group subjects (r=0.275, P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Dry eye group subjects showed significantly increased MGL of the lower eyelid. Age and dry eye status were related to MGL of the lower eyelid, but sex was not; dry eye status was the dominant factor.

Lid-Parallel Conjunctival Folds and Their Ability to Predict Dry Eye.

PURPOSE: The observation of lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF) is reported to be useful in dry eye diagnoses. Around 70% of the European clinicians use this test in a dry eye clinic. This study investigated the sensitivity and specificity of LIPCOF to predict dry eye. METHODS: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) outcome, noninvasive break-up time (NIKBUT) using the Keratograph (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), and LIPCOF of 148 randomized selected patient reports (88 females; mean age=37.0±12.9 years) from 3 different sites were analyzed. Subjects were divided into dry eye and non-dry eye groups by OSDI only, named symptomatic dry eye (OSDI scores ≥15) and by a composite score (OSDI scores ≥15 and NIKBUTaverage of ≤9 sec). RESULTS: Lid-parallel conjunctival folds (temporal, nasal, Sum [=temporal+nasal]) were significantly correlated to OSDI and to NIKBUTaverage (Spearman; r>-0.185, P<0.013). NIKBUTaverage (r=-0.322; P<0.001) was significantly correlated to OSDI scores. Based on the OSDI questionnaire, 37.2% of the subjects were symptomatic and 14.7% were positive for dry eye based on the composite score. Lid-parallel conjunctival folds were a significant discriminator between healthy and dry eye subjects (P≤0.001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for temporal LIPCOF, nasal LIPCOF, and LIPCOF Sum were 0.716, 0.737, and 0.771, respectively, for the symptomatic dry eye group and 0.771, 0.719, and 0.798, respectively, for the composite dry eye group. CONCLUSIONS: As LIPCOF demonstrated high predictive ability of dry eye; it appears to be a promising test in the diagnoses of dry eye.

Investigating the Short-term Effect of Eyelid Massage on Corneal Topography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of eyelid massage, after the use of warm compresses, on corneal topography. METHODS: Corneal topography was evaluated on 20 subjects (mean age, 47.0 [SD ±17.3] years) using the Oculus Keratograph (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Corneal eccentricity (Epsilon) was compared between topography measurements before eyelid warming (using warm compresses) (T1), after eyelid warming (T2), directly after eyelid massage (T3), and 30 minutes after eyelid massage (T4). Differences in corneal eccentricity between the enrolment measurement (T1) and consecutive measurements (T1-4) were analyzed. The contralateral eye-treated by warm compresses, but not by eyelid massage-was the control. Visual acuity (decimal), bulbar conjunctival hyperemia, and corneal staining (Cornea and Contact Lens Research Unit grading scale) were evaluated at T1 and T4 to assess clinical safety. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between consecutive eccentricity measurements overall and with the central radii (repeated-measures analysis of variance, P > .238 (massaged eyelid: Epsilon T1: 0.48 [95% confidence interval, ±0.07], T2: 0.49 [±0.05], T3: 0.49 [±0.06], T4: 0.48 [±0.06]; horizontal radii T1: 7.76 [±0.13] mm, T2: 7.74 [±0.13] mm, T3: 7.75 [±0.13] mm, T4: 7.76 [±0.13] mm; vertical radii T1: 7.56 [±0.12] mm, T2: 7.55 [±0.10] mm, T3: 7.54 [±0.10] mm, T4: 7.58 [±0.11] mm). Decimal visual acuity significantly improved at the end of the study (massaged eyelid: T1: 1.1 [±0.1]; T4: 1.3 [±0.1]; P < .032). No significant differences were detected between the consecutive evaluation of corneal staining (Wilcoxon test; P > .285). Redness was not significantly different between time points (repeated-measures analysis of variance; P = .187) in the colateral eyes. Hyperemia was significantly reduced in the massaged eyes (T1: 2.0 grade units [±0.3]; T4: 1.9 [±0.3]; P = .021). CONCLUSIONS: Eyelid warming followed by eyelid massage appears to be a safe procedure, without any clinically relevant short-term effects on the cornea.

Relationship between Corneal Sensation, Blinking, and Tear Film Quality.

PURPOSE: To examine the possible role of corneal sensitivity and tear film quality in triggering a blink by investigating the relationship between blink rate, central corneal sensitivity threshold (CST), ocular surface temperature (OST), tear meniscus height (TMH), tear film quality (noninvasive tear break-up time [NIBUT]), and tear film lipid pattern under normal conditions. METHODS: Forty-two volunteers (average age, 27.76 ± 5.36 years; 11 males) with good ocular health (Ocular Surface Disease Index, <15.0) were recruited for this cross-sectional cohort study. Blink rate, CST (noncontact corneal air gas aesthesiometry, NCCA), minimum and maximum OST in the central and inferior cornea between blinks (thermal infrared camera), TMH, NIBUT, and lipid pattern of the tear film (Keeler Tearscope Plus) were recorded on the right eye only. RESULTS: Median blink rate was 11 blinks/min (interquartile range [IR], 6.95 to 17.05), CST was 0.35 mbars (IR, 0.30 to 0.40), minimum OST in the central cornea was 35.15°C (IR, 34.58 to 35.50), and NIBUT was 34.55 s (IR, 12.45 to 53.80). Moderate but statistically significant correlations were observed between CST and NIBUT (r = 0.535, p < 0.001), CST and blink rate (r = -0.398, p < 0.001), lipid pattern and OST (r = 0.556, p < 0.001), and between CST and OST (r = 0.371, p = 0.008). The correlations between blink rate and NIBUT (r = -0.696, p < 0.001) and between OST and NIBUT (r = 0.639, p < 0.001; Spearman test) achieved higher significance; this was highlighted by the linear regression model where NIBUT and minimum central and inferior OST were identified as significant predictor variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is strong evidence for significant interactions between corneal sensitivity, NIBUT, OST, and blink frequency, emphasizing that ocular surface conditions represent a possible important trigger for the initiation of a blink. However, the mechanisms involved in the initiation of a blink are complex, with local ocular sensory input as only one trigger, along with other external influences and internal factors under cortical control.

The relationship between tear meniscus regularity and conjunctival folds.

PURPOSE: To investigate the capability of a new portable digital meniscometer (PDM) to measure tear meniscus radius (TMR) and tear meniscus height (TMH) at different locations along the lower lid and to evaluate relationships between tear meniscus regularity and the degree of lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOFs). METHODS: Using the PDM, the TMR and TMH of 42 subjects were measured at three locations along the lower lid of one eye: central, perpendicularly below the pupil center (TMR-C, TMH-C), and temporal (TMR-T, TMH-T) and nasal (TMR-N, TMH-N), perpendicularly below the limbus. Nasal and temporal LIPCOF grades were recorded. Correlations between the measurements were analyzed using the Pearson coefficient (or Spearman rank in nonparametric data), and the differences were evaluated by paired t tests or analysis of variance and post hoc Fisher least significant difference test. RESULTS: Temporal TMR was 0.041 mm flatter (p = 0.002) and TMH-T was 0.063 mm higher (p < 0.001), whereas TMR-N was 0.026 mm flatter (p = 0.038) and TMH-N was 0.046 mm higher (p < 0.001) than TMR-C and TMH-C. Temporal LIPCOF grades were significantly correlated to temporal alterations in TMH (r = 0.590; p < 0.001) and TMR (r = 0.530; p < 0.001), and nasal LIPCOF grades were significantly correlated to nasal alterations in TMH (r = 0.492; p = 0.001) and TMR (r = 0.350; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The PDM is able to noninvasively detect significant differences in TMR and TMH along the lower lid. The flatter TMR and higher TMH at the nasal and temporal locations are associated with increased LIPCOF. Because increased LIPCOF scores may affect tear film disruption along the lower lid, measuring TMR and TMH at the central position below the pupil may provide the best intersubject reliability.

A new portable digital meniscometer.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were (i) to develop a new portable slit-lamp mounted digital meniscometer (PDM) and (ii) to test its accuracy and repeatability compared to the existing Yokoi et al. videomeniscometer (VM). METHODS: We developed a novel application for an iPod or iPhone, which created an illuminated target of parallel black and white bands. This was used as a portable device with which to perform reflective meniscometry. The medians of three consecutive measurements on five glass capillaries (internal radii, 0.100 to 0.505 mm) were compared between VM and PDM at two different sessions. Also, the central lower tear meniscus radius (TMR) in 20 normal subjects (10 males and 10 females; mean [SD] age, 32.3 [9.3] years) was measured using both techniques. Correlations between the instruments were analyzed using the Pearson coefficient. Differences between sessions and instruments were analyzed using Bland-Altman plots, coefficient of repeatability, and paired t-tests. RESULTS: The PDM and VM were accurate in vitro (95% confidence interval [CI] of difference: PDM -0.0134 to +0.0074 mm, p = 0.468; VM -0.0282 to + 0.0226 mm; p = 0.775) and reproducible between sessions (95% coefficient of repeatability, 0.019 and 0.018, respectively). The mean difference between the PDM and VM in vitro was 0.0002 mm (95% CI, -0.0252 to + 0.0256; p = 0.984). In human subjects, mean (SD) TMR measured with the PDM (0.34 [0.10] mm) and VM (0.36 [0.11] mm) was significantly correlated (r = 0.940; p < 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference between the measured TMR of the instruments (p = 0.124). CONCLUSIONS: This new slit-lamp mounted digital meniscometer produces accurate and reliable measurements and provides similar values for tear meniscus radius, in human studies, to the existing VM. The instrument is suitable for use in both research and clinical practice.

BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia: Management with contact lenses and spectacles.

This paper seeks to outline the history, market situation, clinical management and product performance related to the correction of presbyopia with both contact lenses and spectacles. The history of the development of various optical forms of presbyopic correction are reviewed, and an overview is presented of the current market status of contact lenses and spectacles. Clinical considerations in the fitting and aftercare of presbyopic contact lens and spectacle lens wearers are presented, with general recommendations for best practice. Current options for contact lens correction of presbyopia include soft simultaneous, rigid translating and rigid simultaneous designs, in addition to monovision. Spectacle options include single vision lenses, bifocal lenses and a range of progressive addition lenses. The comparative performance of both contact lens and spectacle lens options is presented. With a significant proportion of the global population now being presbyopic, this overview is particularly timely and is designed to act as a guide for researchers, industry and eyecare practitioners alike.

A new perspective on spontaneous blinks.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the central portions of the upper and lower eyelid margins make complete contact during spontaneous blinks. DESIGN: A prospective case series of subjects located in Weinheim, Germany. PARTICIPANTS: Data were analyzed from 30 subjects (14 women; mean age, 42.4 ± 12.3 years). METHODS: A small drop of lissamine green (LG; 0.15 µl) was placed on the keratinized portion of the central lower lid. Spontaneous blinks were recorded by video from a frontal view and simultaneously from a temporal-inferior view (high-speed video). Blinks were analyzed as being complete or incomplete, and the number of blinks necessary to remove the LG was counted. The upper eyelid was observed to grade the extent of misalignment of the lids in the z-axis. This so-called overblinking of the lids was classified using a 5-grade scale (0 = aligned; 1 = less than one-third overblink; 2 = more than one-third to two-thirds overblink; 3 = more than two-thirds to three-thirds overblink; and 4 = more than three-thirds overblink). Correlations were calculated by Pearson correlation (or Spearman rank in nonparametric data), and differences between groups were calculated by unpaired t test (or Mann-Whitney U test in nonparametric data). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Contact between lids in spontaneous blinks and lid alignment. RESULTS: Mean blink rate was 14.9 ± 14.1 blinks/minute, and 58.8 ± 22.6% of blinks were incomplete. Blink rate was significantly higher in women than in men (P = 0.007, unpaired t test; female, 22.0 ± 16.8 blinks/minute; male, 8.6 ± 7.2 blinks/minute). Incomplete blinking occurred significantly less often in women (51.2 ± 18.5%) than in men (67.4 ± 24.5%; P = 0.029) but was not related to age (Pearson r = 0.108; P = 0.285). Lissamine green stayed unaltered in spontaneous blinks and, on average, 1.5 ± 0.8 forced blinks were needed to remove the LG. Mean grade of upper lid overblink was 3.0 ± 0.9. Lid overblink was correlated significantly with age (r = 0.456; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Central lid margins do not touch in spontaneous blinks because the lids are not aligned. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

The relation between blinking and conjunctival folds and dry eye symptoms.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between blink action, dry eye symptoms, and lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF). METHODS: In 30 subjects (14 were women; mean [standard deviation {SD}] age, 42.4 [±12.3] years), spontaneous blinks were recorded from a temporal-inferior view (high-speed video), and the blink extent (incomplete [IC], almost complete [AC], and complete [CC]) was evaluated. Dry eye symptoms were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and nasal and temporal LIPCOF grades were noted. Correlations between groups were calculated with Pearson correlation (or Spearman rank in nonparametric data), and differences between groups were calculated with an unpaired t-test (or U-test Mann-Whitney in nonparametric data). RESULTS: Blink rate was significantly higher in females (22.0% [±16.8]) than in males (8.6% [±7.2]; unpaired t-test: p = 0.007). The percentage of AC of all blinks (AC%) was significantly correlated to LIPCOF sum (nasal + temporal) and OSDI scores (r > 0.570, p < 0.001). The percentage of IC was significantly correlated to LIPCOF sum (r = -0.541, p < 0.001) but not to OSDI. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and type of blinking may have an effect on dry eye symptoms and LIPCOF severity since almost all complete blinks were significantly related to both factors.

TFOS Lifestyle: Impact of contact lenses on the ocular surface.

Several lifestyle choices made by contact lens wearers can have adverse consequences on ocular health. These include being non-adherent to contact lens care, sleeping in lenses, ill-advised purchasing options, not seeing an eyecare professional for regular aftercare visits, wearing lenses when feeling unwell, wearing lenses too soon after various forms of ophthalmic surgery, and wearing lenses when engaged in risky behaviors (e.g., when using tobacco, alcohol or recreational drugs). Those with a pre-existing compromised ocular surface may find that contact lens wear exacerbates ocular disease morbidity. Conversely, contact lenses may have various therapeutic benefits. The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impinged upon the lifestyle of contact lens wearers, introducing challenges such as mask-associated dry eye, contact lens discomfort with increased use of digital devices, inadvertent exposure to hand sanitizers, and reduced use of lenses. Wearing contact lenses in challenging environments, such as in the presence of dust and noxious chemicals, or where there is the possibility of ocular trauma (e.g., sport or working with tools) can be problematic, although in some instances lenses can be protective. Contact lenses can be worn for sport, theatre, at high altitude, driving at night, in the military and in space, and special considerations are required when prescribing in such situations to ensure successful outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis, incorporated within the review, identified that the influence of lifestyle factors on soft contact lens dropout remains poorly understood, and is an area in need of further research. Overall, this report investigated lifestyle-related choices made by clinicians and contact lens wearers and discovered that when appropriate lifestyle choices are made, contact lens wear can enhance the quality of life of wearers.

A review of meibography.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the most common causes of dry eye resulting in morphology changes to the meibomian glands. Meibography provides an in vivo means to assess the structure of the meibomian gland. Over the past 40 years, meibography has undergone significant development regarding its application to research and clinical practice. This review describes the evolution of the various meibography techniques, grading methods, and their diagnostic relevance.

Relation between upper and lower lids' meibomian gland morphology, tear film, and dry eye.

PURPOSE: To analyze relations between upper lid (UL) and lower lid (LL) meibomian gland (MG) morphology and tear film and the MG criteria ability to predict dry eye. METHODS: MG, lipid layer, and non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT) were evaluated of the OD of 20 randomly selected subjects (female = 10; median age = 44.5 years, interquartiles = 39.5 to 55 years). Subjects were grouped into nine Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)- and 11 OSDI+ by the OSDI. Non-contact infrared meibography and image analysis were performed to evaluate MG loss, MG thickness, and MG bent angle. RESULTS: MG loss (Pearson correlation; r = 0.647, p = 0.003) and MG bent angle (r = 0.489, p = 0.027) were significantly correlated between lids, but MG thickness was not (r = -0.059, p = 0.413). MG loss was significantly (t-test; p = 0.048) less in the UL (median = 26.9%; LL = 32.3%), thicker in the LL (p < 0.001) and were more bent in the LL (p = 0.001). MG loss was significantly correlated to lipid-layer thickness (r < -0.597, p < 0.003) and NIBUT (r < -0.453, p < 0.030), whereas MG thickness and bent angle of the UL only were related to NIBUT (r < -0.563, p < 0.018). Combining MG loss of both lids (linear regression analysis) resulted in the best predictive ability of OSDI± (area under the receiver operative characteristic curve = 0.929, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MG scores between lids were significantly different but correlated. MG loss was significantly correlated to tear film characteristics including lipid layer thickness and stability. MG thickness and bent angle of the UL were related to NIBUT. The combination of both lids' MG loss showed best predictive ability of dry eye.

A comparison of an eyelid-warming device to traditional compress therapy.

PURPOSE: To assess the warming and humidifying effect and ocular safety of the Blephasteam® eyelid-warming device vs. warm and moist compresses in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Twenty subjects (8 females, 12 males; mean age 39.2 years) were included in the study. Temperature and relative humidity were measured over a period of 10 min at the lower eyelid margin of one randomly selected eye during application of the Blephasteam device and, 1 h later, during application of warm compresses (in a randomized order). Ocular signs and visual acuity were assessed before and after each application. RESULTS: The mean duration of warming (temperature ≥38°C) was significantly longer with Blephasteam than with compresses (7.5 vs. 1.0 min; p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between treatments in the duration of 100% relative humidity. Compared with pretreatment values, visual acuity significantly improved after Blephasteam treatment (p < 0.05) but significantly decreased after treatment with compresses (p < 0.05). Limbal redness, eyelid redness, and corneal staining scores all improved significantly after Blephasteam treatment (p < 0.05 for all). Ocular signs did not change after compress treatment except conjunctival redness, which was significantly increased (p = 0.01 vs. pretreatment). CONCLUSIONS: The Blephasteam eyelid-warming device appeared to provide more effective warming than warm and moist compresses in a group of healthy volunteers. Visual acuity, limbal redness, and eyelid redness were improved after Blephasteam use but not after treatment with compresses.

Blinking and upper eyelid morphology.

PURPOSE: To explore blinking patterns and sagittal eyelid misalignment in the East Asian eye. METHODS: Forty-four participants (22 females; age 26 ± 5 years; 52% of East Asian ethnicity) were enrolled in this pilot study and subdivided, based on upper eyelid crease presence and extent, into single (n = 10), partial (n = 11) or double (n = 23) eyelid crease groups. Blinking was filmed surreptitiously with high-speed video simultaneously from an inferior temporal and frontal view. Spontaneous blink rate and type (incomplete, almost complete, or complete) were assessed over a 30 s period. Sagittal misalignment of the lids on closure was graded during complete spontaneous blinks, voluntary lid closure and voluntary maximal lid contraction (squeezing). A 0.15 µL drop of lissamine green was placed on the central lower lid margin and the number and type of blinks required to eliminate the drop informed complete palpebral apposition during blinking. RESULTS: Mean ± SD blink rates averaged 16.9 ± 10.5 blinks/minute. The proportion of incomplete blinks was 83 ± 22% in single, 58 ± 35% in partial and 59 ± 30% in double eyelid crease groups. The sagittal misalignment of the lid margins during blinking was limited to approximately one-third of the lid margin width; this was similar for all lid morphologies and blink types. The lissamine green drop was eliminated only by voluntary maximal lid contraction, and was similar in all groups (p = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Incomplete blinking and sagittal lid misalignment of the central eyelid margin predominate in habitual blinking, irrespective of lid morphology.

Evaluation of tear meniscus height using different clinical methods.

Clinical relevance: The height of the tear meniscus (TMH) is a generally accepted method to evaluate tear film volume, especially in dry eye diagnoses and management.Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of different methods to measure tear meniscus height accurately and repeatably.Methods: Lower TMH of 20 volunteers (26.8 ± 5.6 years) was measured by two observers (OI and OII) using optical coherence tomography (OCT), slitlamp microscope image analysis, and with a reticule at low (8x) and high (32x) magnification. TMH was also evaluated by both observers by comparing TMH to thickness of the lid margin (lid-ratio; grade 0: TMH 1/2 lid margin thickness; grade 1: 1/3; grade 2: 1/4; grade 3: 1/5; grade 4: 1/6) and to the number of eyelashes fitting in the tear meniscus. Differences between observers were analysed by paired-t-test. Differences between OCT-TMH and other methods were analysed by ANOVA, and inter-observer repeatability by intra-class-correlation-coefficient (ICC). The ability to predict OCT-TMH was calculated by receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results: There was no significant difference between OI and OII in all methods except of the eyelash-count-method (p = 0.008). For OI, TMH measured using a reticule at 8x (0.20 ± 0.05 mm) was significantly lower than OCT-TMH (0.24 ± 0.07 mm) (p = 0.032) but not at 32x (0.22 ± 0.01 mm; p = 0.435). TMH evaluated by the image software of the slitlamp (0.20 ± 0.05 mm) was significantly lower than OCT-TMH (p = 0.022). The lid-ratio-method and eyelash-count-method resulted in grades of 2.35 ± 1.22 and 2.85 ± 0.81, respectively. ROC analyses showed that only the 8x and the 32x magnification method could discriminate between normal and abnormal OCT-TMH. OCT had the best repeatability (ICC = 0.88; p < 0.001) followed by reticule using 32x magnification (ICC = 0.70; p = 0.004).Conclusion: The most reliable method to measure TMH was OCT followed by slitlamp using a reticule. TMH cannot be reliably evaluated by comparing it against lid margin thickness or number of eyelashes.

Clinical significance of contact lens related changes of ocular surface tissue observed on optical coherence images.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the real contact lens imprint into the conjunctival tissue, observed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and conjunctival staining and contact lens wearing comfort. METHODS: 17 participants (mean age = 26.6 SD ± 3.6 years; 7 females) were fitted with three different contact lenses base curves of the same silicone hydrogel custom lens type (Visell 50; Hecht Contactlinsen, Au, Germany) in a randomised order. One lens was optimally fitted according to the manufacturer's recommendation, one fitted 0.4 mm flatter and one fitted 0.4 mm steeper. After 4 h of lens wear the contact lens edge in the area of the conjunctiva was imaged nasally and temporally using OCT (Optovue iVue SD-OCT). To correct the artefact due to optical distortion with OCT, the imprint of all worn lenses was measured on a glass plate afterwards. Conjunctival staining in the limbal region after 4 h of lens wear was classified using the CCLRU Grading Scale. Comfort scoring was based on visual analog scales from 0 (very poor) to 100 (excellent). RESULTS: The mean conjunctival imprint of all contact lens edges was 32.0 ± 8.1 µm before and 7.3 ± 6.5 µm after distortion correction of the OCT images. The distortion corrected conjunctival imprint with the 0.4 mm steeper lens (11.5 ± 6.2 µm) was statistically significantly greater compared to the optimally fitted lens (6.5 ± 5.9 µm) (One-way ANOVA followed Tukey-test; p = 0.017) and greater compared to the 0.4 mm flatter lens (3.9 ± 5.3 µm) (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the optimally fitted lens and the 0.4 mm flatter lens (p = 0.209). The nasally measured imprint (11.4 ± 9.0 µm) was significantly greater than the temporally measured (3.3 ± 7.6 µm) (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between the amount of conjunctival imprint and the graded conjunctival staining (p = 0.346) or the wearer's comfort (p = 0.735). CONCLUSIONS: Contact lens edges imaged by OCT exhibited displacement artefacts. The observed conjunctival imprints are a combination of real conjunctival compression and artefacts. A deeper imprint of the contact lens into the conjunctiva caused by a steeper base curve was not related to clinically significant staining or changes in comfort after 4 h of lens wear. The observed differences between nasal and temporal imprint are likely to be caused by variations of conjunctival thickness and the shape of the underlying sclera.

CLEAR - Evidence-based contact lens practice.

Evidence-based contact lens -->practice involves finding, appraising and applying research findings as the basis for patient management decisions. These decisions should be informed by the strength of the research study designs that address the question, as well as by the experience of the practitioner and the preferences and environment of the patient. This reports reviews and summarises the published research evidence that is available to inform soft and rigid contact lens history and symptoms taking, anterior eye health examination (including the optimised use of ophthalmic dyes, grading scales, imaging techniques and lid eversion), considerations for contact lens selection (including the ocular surface measurements required to select the most appropriate lens parameter, lens modality and material selection), evaluation of lens fit, prescribing (teaching self-application and removal, adaptation, care regimen and cleaning instructions, as well as -->minimising risks of lens wear through encouraging compliance) and an aftercare routine.

About vital staining of the eye and eyelids. I. The anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the eyelid margins and the lacrimal puncta by E. Marx. 1924.

This article is a translation of the original article authored by Eugen Marx and published in 1924.1 Amazingly, many of the issues addressed in the 1924 publication are now, >80 years later, of prime interest for both understanding the lid margin and ocular surface and thus for dry eye diagnosis and treatment. To assist the reader and possibly to provoke further contemplation on a particular section of the translation, we have inserted comments, identified throughout the text. All references, in their original format, have been included in this translation, except those referred to in a few paragraphs that were not readily understood in today's technical language and which were omitted. The first figure of the original article is not included in this translation because it was referred to in one of the few omitted paragraphs.