Schirmer's Test (schirmer + test)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The relation between tear film tests in patients with dry eye disease

OPHTHALMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OPTICS, Issue 6 2003
Kelly K. Nichols
Abstract Purpose:, The purpose of this report was to investigate the relation between dry eye diagnostic tests. Methods:, Dry eye patients were enrolled to complete a clinical examination, including the following dry eye tests: a meibomian gland evaluation, tear meniscus height, fluorescein tear breakup time, fluorescein staining of the cornea, the Schirmer 1 test, the phenol red thread test, and rose bengal staining of the conjunctiva. Statistical analyses, including correlation coefficients, the Wilcoxon sign rank test, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used to address the relation between these clinical tests of dry eye. Results:, There was a strong relation between the Schirmer test and fluorescein staining in all four statistical analyses. Similarly, there was also a strong relation between the phenol red thread test and both fluorescein and rose bengal staining. Finally, the results of the Schirmer test were associated with the tear breakup time test in three of four analyses. Conclusions:, The results indicate that tests of aqueous deficiency (volume or production) are associated with ocular surface desiccation. This important relation should be recognized when choosing dry eye tests as outcomes in clinical trials and epidemiological studies. [source]


Primary Sjogren's syndrome complicated by bilateral pleural effusion

RESPIROLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Katsunobu TESHIGAWARA
Abstract: Sjogren's syndrome can cause many organic changes, but is rarely accompanied by pleuritis. We report a 65-year-old patient with primary Sjogren's syndrome who developed bilateral pleuritis with moderately large effusions. He was diagnosed as having Sjogren's syndrome, based on xerophthalmia, xerostomia, positive results for anti-Sjogren's syndrome (anti-SS-A/SS-B) antibodies, the Schirmer test and biopsy findings in the minor salivary glands. The pleural fluid was lymphocyte rich and contained high levels of anti-SS-A/SS-B antibodies. There was no evidence of infection, malignancy or other collagen diseases which cause pleuritis. We conclude that this case adds to the eight previously published reports of primary Sjogren's syndrome complicated by pleural effusion. [source]


Decreased Tear Expression with an Abnormal Schirmer's Test Following Botulinum Toxin Type A for the Treatment of Lateral Canthal Rhytides

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2002
Seth L. Matarasso MD
background. Inactivation of muscles of facial expression by chemodenervation with botulinum toxin remains an off-label indication. Nevertheless, it continues to be a safe and effective technique to improve dynamic rhytides and is the treatment of choice for the hypertrophic lateral fibers of the orbicularis oculi muscle that can cause the superimposed crow's feet. objective. Although infrequent and self-limiting, the complication of unexpected muscle weakness from toxin diffusion or erroneous placement is documented. methods. However, injection into the pretarsal portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle resulting in unilateral ocular irritation and diminished tear expression as evidenced by a dry eye and an abnormal Schirmer's test has rarely been reported. Direct injection into the pretarsal fibers of the muscle as opposed to diffusion of the toxin into the muscle fibers or the lacrimal gland was consistent with the onset of action of the toxin and the prolonged duration of the ocular symptoms. results. Treatment consisted of ocular lubrication until the effects of the toxin dissipated and muscle tone returned. Subsequent treatment did not result in a result in a recurrence of adverse sequelae. conclusions. Facial muscles are small, not isolated, and often have fibers that interdigitate. An important factor in the administration of botulinum toxin is the identification of the muscles responsible for the corresponding rhytide. Precise knowledge of muscular anatomy and function will aid in minimizing this and other potential complications. [source]


Comparison of indices of vitamin A status in children with chronic liver disease,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Andrew P. Feranchak
Malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins is a major complication of chronic cholestatic liver disease. The most accurate way to assess vitamin A status in children who have cholestasis is unknown. The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy of noninvasive tests to detect vitamin A deficiency. Children with chronic cholestatic liver disease (n = 23) and noncholestatic liver disease (n = 10) were studied. Ten cholestatic patients were identified as vitamin A,deficient based on the relative dose response (RDR). Compared with the RDR, the sensitivity and specificity to detect vitamin A deficiency for each test was, respectively: serum retinol, 90% and 78%; retinol-binding protein (RBP), 40% and 91%; retinol/RBP molar ratio, 60% and 74%; conjunctival impression cytology, 44% and 48%; slit-lamp examination, 20% and 66%; tear film break-up time, 40% and 69%; and Schirmer's test, 20% and 78%. We developed a modified oral RDR via oral coadministration of d-alpha tocopheryl polyethylene glycol-1000 succinate and retinyl palmitate. This test had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 100% to detect vitamin A deficiency. In conclusion, vitamin A deficiency is relatively common in children who have chronic cholestatic liver disease. Our data suggest that serum retinol level as an initial screen followed by confirmation with a modified oral RDR test is the most effective means of identifying vitamin A deficiency in these subjects. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;42:782,792.) [source]


Switching from a preserved to a preservative-free prostaglandin preparation in topical glaucoma medication

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2010
Hannu Uusitalo
Abstract. Purpose:, The purpose of this study was to investigate the tolerability and intraocular pressure (IOP) reducing effect of the first preservative-free prostaglandin tafluprost (Taflotan®) in patients exhibiting ocular surface side-effects during latanoprost (Xalatan®) treatment. Methods:, A total of 158 patients were enrolled in this open-label multicentre study. Eligible patients had to have at least two ocular symptoms, or one sign and one symptom, during treatment with latanoprost. At baseline, the patients were directly switched from latanoprost to preservative-free tafluprost for 12 weeks. The patients were queried for ocular symptoms, and ocular signs were assessed by using tear break-up time, Schirmer's test, fluorescein staining and evaluation of conjunctival hyperaemia and blepharitis. In addition, HLA-DR and MUC5AC in conjunctival impression cytology specimens were analyzed, and a drop discomfort/quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was employed. IOP was measured at all visits. Results:, Preservative-free tafluprost maintained IOP at the same level after 12- weeks treatment (16.4 ± 2.7 mmHg) as latanoprost at baseline (16.8 ± 2.5 mmHg). During treatment with preservative-free tafluprost, the number of patients having irritation/burning/stinging (56.3%), itching (46.8%), foreign body sensation (49.4%), tearing (55.1%) and dry eye sensation (64.6%) decreased to 28.4%, 26.5%, 27.1%, 27.1% and 39.4% correspondingly. The number of the patients with abnormal fluorescein staining of cornea (81.6%) and conjunctiva (84.2%), blepharitis (60.1%), conjunctival hyperaemia (84.2%) and abnormal Schirmer's test (71.5%) was also reduced significantly to 40.6%, 43.2%, 40.6%, 60.0% and 59.4% correspondingly. The tear break-up time improved significantly from 4.5 ± 2.5 seconds to 7.8 ± 4.9 seconds. A reduction in the number of patients with abnormal conjunctival cells based on HLA-DR and MUC5AC was also detected. Conclusions:, Preservative-free tafluprost maintained IOP at the same level as latanoprost, but was better tolerated in patients having signs or symptoms while on preserved latanoprost. Preservative-free tafluprost treatment resulted in improved QoL, increased patient satisfaction and drop comfort. [source]


Alterations of the ocular surface epithelial mucins 1, 2, 4 and the tear functions in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 12 2006
M. Dogru
Summary Background An increased understanding of the ocular surface alterations at the cellular level in the conjunctiva and the cornea, may help explain the pathogenesis and the subsequent clinical appearance of atopic ocular allergies, which may be potentially blinding. Purpose To investigate MUC 1, 2 and 4 alterations, tear function and the ocular surface disorder in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Methods Twenty-eight eyes of 14 atopic keratoconjunctivitis patients as well as 22 eyes of 11 age-and sex-matched normal subjects were studied. The subjects underwent corneal sensitivity measurements, Schirmer's test, tear film break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining of the ocular surface, conjunctival impression cytology and brush cytology. Impression cytology samples underwent periodic acid-Schiff and immunohistochemical staining with MUC 1, 2 and 4 antibodies. Brush cytology specimens underwent evaluation for inflammatory cell numbers and quantitative real-time-PCR for MUC 1, 2 and 4 mRNA expression. Patient eyes with fluorescein and Rose Bengal scores greater than four points were regarded to have significant epithelial disease in this study. Results The mean corneal sensitivity and BUT values were significantly lower in atopic patients with significant epithelial disease, compared with patients with insignificant epithelial disease and controls (P<0.01). Brush cytology specimens from patients with significant epithelial disease revealed significantly higher numbers of inflammatory cells (P<0.01). Specimens from patient eyes showed positive staining for MUC 1, 2 and 4. MUC 1, 2 and 4 mRNA expressions were significantly higher in eyes with significant epithelial disease compared with eyes with insignificant epithelial disease and eyes of control subjects. Conclusion Ocular surface inflammation, decline in corneal sensitivity, tear film instability, changes in conjunctival epithelial MUC 1, 2 and 4 mRNA expressions were thought to be important in the pathogenesis of atopic ocular surface disease. [source]