Short break-up time type dry eye has potential ocular surface abnormalities

PURPOSE To describe a case series in which corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) development occurred in short break-up time (s-BUT) dry eyes after a short period during prolonged opening of the eye. METHODS The study was designed as a clinical case series. Ocular surface evaluations were performed on 13 individuals with s-BUT dry eye. Tear function examinations included Schirmer's test and BUT evaluation. RESULTS In all 13 cases, the BUT was short, but the tear quantity was not so bad. In all cases, CFS developed following a single eye opening, and the staining was observed at sites that showed as dark spots. In several cases, the CFS disappeared later. CONCLUSION In this study, we demonstrated that CFS could develop following a single eye opening. Based on our findings, CFS is a dynamic phenomenon rather than a stable indicator of ocular surface abnormalities. Moreover, s-BUT dry eye has the potential to show ocular surface abnormalities.