Assessment of Tear Film Thickness by Optical Coherence Tomography in Healthy Subjects and Subjects With Dry Eye Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating dry eye syndrome (DES), a common eye condition that can cause serious problems due to either reduced tear production or increased tear evaporation, resulting in an unstable tear film. Current clinical methods to diagnose and assess DES often do not match patients' symptoms well. This study aims to explore how measuring tear film thickness (TFT) with a new high-resolution imaging technology called optical coherence tomography (OCT) relates to other clinical signs and symptoms of DES, potentially offering a better way to diagnose and monitor this condition. The study involves a cross-sectional comparison between healthy adults without DES and adults diagnosed with DES. Using OCT, researchers will measure the thickness of the tear film in participants' eyes non-invasively. They will also assess other clinical measures of DES such as tear break-up time, corneal staining, Schirmer test results, tear osmolarity, and symptom questionnaires. This approach helps to understand how TFT correlates with standard assessments and symptoms in both healthy and affected individuals. Participants will be adults aged 18 years or older, including healthy volunteers and those with DES. They will undergo various eye examinations and complete questionnaires about their symptoms. The main measurement is tear film thickness using OCT, with other clinical tests performed at the same time. Researchers will analyze these data to see how well TFT reflects the severity of DES. The study is observational, with no treatments given, and participants' involvement includes a one-month evaluation period with clinical assessments and symptom reporting.

Assessment of TFT by OCT in Healthy Subjects and Subjects With DES