J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1997 Apr;38(4):537-545.

Tear Turnover Rate Measurement Using Fluorotron Master

• Kim JW
• Oh TH
• Moon NJ

Abstract

Maintenance of normal rate of tear production and elimination is essential for the proper controlled envionment for the cornea and the conjunctiva. We analyzed tear turnover rates in normal subjects, which mainly depend on tear production. We scanned 65 eyes of 36 normal subjects after instillation of 2% fluorescein solution 1u into the lower conjunctival fornix, using fluorophotometer (Fluorotron Master). After instillation of fluorescein solution, we scanned the eyes every 3 minutes for 30 minutes to measure tear film fluorescence. We calculated the tear turnover rate using tear film fluorescence valuse. Mean tear turnover rates were 12.3+/-6.6 %/min in normal subjects, 12.7+/-6.9 %/min in men, and 11.7+/-6.6 %/min in women. Mean tear turnover rates of men did not differ significantly from those of women (p>0.05). Mean tear turnover rates of younger subjects(25 years old~40 years old) (16.2 +/-7.4 %/min) were found to be significantly higher than ghose of older subjects(41 years old~73 years old) (9.1+/-40 %/min) (p<0.05). The morning tear turnover rates (13.5+/-1.6 %/min) were found to be higher than those for the afternoon (10.2+/-4.9 %/min), but the differences were not significant(p>0.05). We think that this study might be useful to study the diagnosis and treatement of tear secretory system disorders.

Keyword

Advancing age; Fluorophotometer; Tear turnover rate

MeSH Terms

Conjunctiva
Cornea
Diagnosis
Female
Fluorescein
Fluorescence
Humans
Male
Tears*
Fluorescein