Correlation Analysis between Ocular Surface Parameters with Subjective Symptom Severity in Dry Eye Disease

PURPOSETo evaluate the clinical symptoms of patients with dry eyes, based on the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and analyze the relationship between OSDI and various ocular surface parameters. METHODSThis was a retrospective study that included 45 eyes of 45 dry eye patients who visited the Seoul Nune Eye Hospital from August 2017 to December 2017. The patients were assessed by non-invasive keratography for the first break-up time, lipid layer thickness (LLT), tear osmolarity, tear matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunoassay as well as with the conventional Schirmer I test and fluorescein break-up time. The patient's symptoms were evaluated by the OSDI questionnaires and correlations were analyzed based on the parameters described above. RESULTSThere were significant negative correlations between OSDI and non-invasive keratography for the first break-up time (p = 0.038, r = -0.330), and LLT (p = 0.005, r = -0.426). However, there were no significant correlations between OSDI and fluorescein break-up time, Schirmer I score, and tear osmolarity (p = 0.173, 0.575, and 0.844 respectively). OSDI was not significantly different between matrix metalloproteinase-9 positive and negative groups (p = 0.768). CONCLUSIONSNon-invasive examinations such as non-invasive keratograph break-up time and interferometry of LLT can be efficient tools for evaluating dry eye symptoms.