Comparison Of Two Ocular Surface Analysis Platforms

Comparison of two ocular surface analysis platforms

Brest University Hospital, Brest, France

Four parameters were compared on two automated ocular surface analysis platforms (Lacrydiag® versus Keratograph 5M®) :  the Tear Height Meniscus (THM), the Non-Invasive Tear Break-Up Time (NIBUT), the Lipid Layer Thickness (LLT) and the meibography. Then, there were confront to clinical examination and ocular score disease index (OSDI).

The study comprised 148 eyes of 74 patients. A significant correlation between the two devices was found for the THM (0.475, p <0.001) ; the LLT (0.492, p <0.001) and the meibography (0.535, p <0.001). Regarding NIBUT (NIBUT-average and NIBUT-first), no significant correlation was found. The Meibomian glands clinical examination was correlated with the meibography of the Keratograph® (0.383, p <0.001) and the Lacrydiag® (0.318, p <0.001). The Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) was weakly correlated with the NIBUT-first of the Keratograph® (0.225, p = 0.024) and with the NIBUT-average of the Lacrydiag®. The evaluation of the tear meniscus by slit lamp was correlated with the Keratograph® (0.397, p <0.001) and the Lacrydiag® (0.406, p <0.001).

This study was the first to compare the Lacrydiag® versus the Keratograph 5M® (K5M®). It confirms the relationship with the clinical examination and finds reproducibility between the two devices. However, standard values should be defined, especially for the NIBUT. The contribution of artificial intelligence to these platforms could allow their complete automation.