LIPCOF – new diagnostic method for tear film dysfunction

Abstract:

Assessment of lid parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF) was first described as a diagnostic method by Hoeh and colleagues in 1995. The advantages of LIPCOF are allegedly high positive predictive value (93%) for the diagnosis of dry eye, non-invasiveness, speed, and the fact that it does not incur any additional costs. The disadvantages of this method are subjectivity, low number of degrees (0-3), vaguely defined reference values, inability to differentiate between hyposecretive and evaporative causes of dry eye, limited published experience by investigators other than the authors who originally described the method and the fact that the cause of conjunctival folds is still unknown.

Key words:
conjunctiva; diagnostic techniques and procedures; dry eye syndromes; tears