The importance of tear film lipid layer and diagnostic options

Abstract:

Tear film lipid layer is responsible for ocular surface lubrication and prevention of aqueous layer evaporation. The dysfunction of tear film lipid layer is considered to account for 93% of all types of tear film dysfunction. However, there is no method of tear film lipid layer visualization used in routine clinical practice. Tearscope and Tearscope Plus, instruments designed for lipid layer examination, were not accepted by ophthalmologists primarily due to their high price and have consequently ceased to be manufactured. The author of this article has designed a handheld instrument for lipid layer examination. The instrument has been confirmed in practice as equally dependable as Tearscope, only more practical due to its small size and more accessible due to low price – it is slightly more expensive than ordinary handheld torch. Hopefully, the instrument described in this article will allow ophthalmologists to make tear film lipid layer examination a part of their routine clinical practice. 

Key words:
dry eye syndromes; equipment and supplies; eye; tears