Short-Term Changes in Tear Film Stability and Tear Volume Following the Application of Various DED Management Options in a Healthy Young Population

Abstract

Background: To determine short-term changes in tear film volume and stability after various treatments for dry eye disease in healthy participants. Methods: 36 healthy participants aged from 18 to 35 years were recruited for a single-session examination and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (1:1:1 treatment, 1:1 eye): Group 1 (artificial tears 'Comfort Drops'), Group 2 (eyelid wipes 'Systane Lid Wipes'), and Group 3 (ocular bath 'Acuaiss'). Tear Meniscus Height (TMH) was assessed at baseline, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min, and Non-Invasive Break-Up Time (NIBUT) at baseline, 2, 10, and 20 min, all using the OCULUS Keratograph 5M by one examiner. Results: Of the initially recruited participants, 35 were analyzed; one was excluded for reflex tearing. Group 1 (n = 12) showed a significant TMH increase at 2 min compared to 10 and 20 min (Friedman, p = 0.004; Bonferroni, p ≤ 0.028). Group 3 (n = 12) showed a significant increase at 2 and 5 min compared to baseline and decrease at 10 min against 2 and 5 min (Friedman, p < 0.001; Bonferroni, p ≤ 0.034). Group 2 (n = 11) showed no significant changes over time (Friedman, p = 0.108). NIBUT showed no significant differences at any time-point in any group (Friedman, p ≥ 0.231). Basal TMH differed between groups (ANOVA, p = 0.048), but post hoc analysis found no significance (Bonferroni, all p ≥ 0.088). No significant differences in TMH at other time-points (Kruskal-Wallis/ANOVA, p ≥ 0.265) or in NIBUT between groups (Kruskal-Wallis/ANOVA, p = 0.108) were found. Conclusions: In healthy participants, artificial tears and ocular baths temporarily increase TMH, while eyelid wipes do not. Neither has an immediate impact on NIBUT.

Keywords: artificial tears; dry eye disease; dry eye management; eyelid cleansing wipes; ocular bath.

Figure 1

Boxplot graph represents TMH values across different time-points for each DED treatment group. The box illustrates the sample’s interquartile range (25th–75th percentile), with the black line representing the mean. Dots indicate outliers, exceeding 1.5 box lengths beyond the quartiles, while asterisks denote extreme outliers, surpassing 3 box lengths. DED: Dry Eye Disease; TMH: Tear Meniscus Height.

Figure 2

Boxplot graph represents NIBUT values across different time-points for each DED treatment group. The box illustrates the sample’s interquartile range (25th–75th percentile), with the black line representing the mean. DED: Dry Eye Disease; NIBUT: Non-Invasive Break-Up Time.