We evaluated the effect of 0.1% sodium hyaluronate (unpreserved) in 10 patients with dry eyes. The precorneal tear film break-up time was assessed by the non-invasive technique, and the severity of symptoms was recorded before and after treatment on a 0 to +3 scale. It was found that the tear film stability was significantly increased (p less than 0.05) in eyes treated with sodium hyaluronate. ...

The ocular surface, which is among the most accessible and vulnerable tissues in mammals, is protected by a complex tear film composed of lipid, aqueous and mucin layers. In spite of its importance, the molecular nature of the mucin contribution remains uncertain. Since membrane mucins have been implicated in the protection of other epithelia, we have analysed rat corneal and conjunctival tissu...

PURPOSE To describe corneal sensitivity changes caused by different incision methods-manual small-incision cataract surgery (manual SICS) and phacoemulsification-and their influence on tear film quantity and quality. METHODS This was a prospective observational study conducted in 30 subjects undergoing manual SICS or phacoemulsification. Corneal sensitivity was assessed before and 1, 7, and 1...

Components of the ocular surface synergistically contribute to maintaining and protecting a smooth refractive layer to facilitate the optimal transmission of light. At the air-water interface, the tear film lipid layer (TFLL), a mixture of lipids and proteins, plays a key role in tear surface tension and is important for the physiological hydration of the ocular surface and for ocular homeostas...

Past measurements of precorneal tear film thickness in rabbits and humans gave values of 4-7 microns. These have been the accepted values. However, measurements presented in this report are much higher. Earlier techniques may have changed film thickness or not have fully included the layer containing mucus. Little is known about the mucus component. Thickness was measured in freshly killed anim...

PURPOSE To measure dynamic change characteristics of spatial and temporal variations in the post-blink tear film of normal eyes. METHODS A wavefront sensor was used to measure dynamic changes in wavefront aberrations, up to the seventh order, for 10 seconds in a group of 33 normal young adults. Tear menisci were imaged with an anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) system and ...

This paper reviews recent studies of the role of the tear film in the optical quality of the eye. Recent investigations focus on the dynamics of the tear film after a blink and its important role in the optical quality of the eye. The results in this review were used in an attempt to understand the optical and visual impact of tear-film breakup in normal eyes and dry eyes. It was noted that pat...

PURPOSE To investigate the changes in tear secretion and tear film stability after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for high myopia. METHODS One eye of 28 patients underwent unilateral LASIK for the correction of myopia with spherical equivalent refractions ranging from -6.37 to -18.25 D (mean, -11.98 +/- 3.45 D). Schirmer tear test values without anesthesia at 5 minutes and tear ...

INTRODUCTION Blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction are chronic inflammatory conditions with overlapping pathophysiology and symptomatology. Both microbial infection and seborrhea contribute to the pathophysiology and both may benefit from treatment with tea tree oil (TTO). We evaluated the therapeutic effect of eyelids scrubbing with TTO in a group of patients with lid margin disease. M...