Journal Article

Comparison of non-invasive and fluorescein tear film break-up time in a 65-year-old Norwegian population: a cross-sectional study

Jensen, Janicke Liaaen, Badian, Reza A, Lagali, Neil, Chen, Xiangjun, Hove, Lene Hystad, Vitelli, Valeria, Tashbayev, Behzod, Utheim, Tor Paaske, Dartt, Darlene

2025

Overview

ObjectivesMeasurement of tear film stability is central in dry eye disease (DED) diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to compare the performance of two methods of tear film stability measurement: non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) and fluorescein tear film break-up time (FTBUT).DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsThe study involved 132 subjects of 65-year-old inhabitants of the Oslo region who were not seeking ophthalmic care.InterventionsThe participants underwent a battery of DED tests, including NIBUT measured on Oculus Keratograph 5M and a traditional method using fluorescein drops (FTBUT). Oculus Keratograph 5M measures two types of NIBUT:; appearance time of the first dry spot (NIBUTFirst) and average NIBUTAvg.Results74 participants (56%) were female and 58 were male (44%). Subjects presented with varying degrees of DED signs and symptoms. Mean values of NIBUTFirst and FTBUT from all the participants were significantly different (6.2±4.9 s vs 8.6±6.2 s, p<0.0001). There was also a significant difference between NIBUTFirst and NIBUTAvg values (6.2±4.9 s vs 8.3±5.5 s, p<0.0001). In contrast, no difference was observed between FTBUT and NIBUTAvg values (8.6±6.2 s vs 8.3±5.5 s, p=0.655). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to compare NIBUT and FTBUT in regards to other clinical tests (Ocular Surface Disease Index, ocular surface staining, blink interval, eye redness, corneal sensitivity, lid debris, Schirmer I test, tear osmolarity, meibum quality, meibum expressibility, lid hyperemia, tear meniscus height,. irregular lid margin, conjunctival hyperaemia, margin telangiectasia, lipid layer and meibomian gland drop-out). While FTBUT demonstrated results with area under the curve>0.6, neither NIBUTFirst nor NIBUTAvg showed significant results.ConclusionNIBUTFirst was shorter than FTBUT. Low correlation between NIBUT and FTBUT indicates that these diagnostic tests are not interchangeable. Other DED tests had correlation, though low, while NIBUT did not demonstrate correlation.

• Publisher: British Medical Journal Publishing Group,BMJ Publishing Group LTD,BMJ Publishing Group
• Subject: Aged / Cross-Sectional Studies / Diagnostic Imaging / Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Diagnostic tests / Dry Eye Syndromes / Dry Eye Syndromes - diagnosis / Female / Females / Fluorescein / Higher education / Humans / Integrated software / Male / Males / Meibomian Gland Dysfunction / Normal distribution / Norway / Ophthalmology / ROC Curve / Sodium / Tears - chemistry