Recent Papers: The Ocular Surface
marzo 1, 2023THE OCULAR SURFACE
The Ocular Surface, a quarterly, a peer-reviewed journal, is an authoritative resource that integrates and interprets major findings in diverse fields related to the ocular surface, including ophthalmology, optometry, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology, infectious disease, and epidemiology. Its critical review articles cover the most current knowledge on medical and surgical management of ocular surface pathology, new understandings of ocular surface physiology, the meaning of recent discoveries on how the ocular surface responds to injury and disease, and updates on drug and device development. The journal also publishes select original research reports and articles describing cutting-edge techniques and technology in the field.
Assessing Tear Secretory Response in Health and Disease Using a Novel i-Onion Device
Zaldivar, Ana B.A.; Wu, Connie M.D.; Junk, Anna M.D., Galor, Anat M.D., M.S.P.H
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate tear secretory response using a novel device, the i-Onion, which stimulates lacrimal gland activity with concentrated CO2 bursts.
Methods: The i-Onion device delivers a controlled CO2 burst to the ocular surface, stimulating the lacrimal gland's tear production response. We studied 120 participants: 40 with glaucoma, 40 with cataracts (some followed postsurgery), and 40 controls. Basal tear volume (BTV) was measured using a 3-min unanesthetized the Schirmer test. Stimulated tear volume was then recorded over another 3 min after a 3-second i-Onion stimulus. Tear reserve volume (TRV), the study's primary outcome, was calculated as the difference between stimulated tear volume and BTV.
Results: Participants' mean age was 60.5 years; 78% male, 59% White. No significant differences in TRV were found among the groups (glaucoma: 9.3 mm; cataract: 8.3 mm; control: 7.9 mm, P=0.67) but BTV was significantly lower in patients with glaucoma and cataract compared with controls (glaucoma: 13.6 mm; cataract: 14.1 mm; control: 19.0 mm, P=0.03). Basal tear volume also decreased with age (r=−0.2, P=0.01). Presurgical TRV in patients with cataract showed a nonsignificant negative correlation with postsurgical ocular symptoms (r=−0.23, P=0.2).
Conclusions: The i-Onion device demonstrated that TRV was preserved in elderly individuals with glaucoma and cataract, despite decreased BTV with age and disease.
