Clinical comparison of tear film breakup time measurements in normal dogs using three different methods of fluorescein solution administration.

Objective: To evaluate whether the method of fluorescein administration affects the results of tear film breakup time (TFBUT) measurement in normal dogs.
Animals Studied: Thirty-seven client and hospital staff owned dogs over 1 year of age with no known comorbidities or administration of systemic or topical ophthalmic medications.
Procedures: A prospective randomized three-way crossover study was conducted. All dogs received an abbreviated ophthalmic examination to rule out ocular surface disease. Using a 30-min washout interval period, each dog's right eye was received: (a) direct application of fluorescein stain strip with one drop of sterile eyewash, (b) direct application of fluorescein stain strip with two drops of sterile eyewash, or (c) application of one drop from a premade fluorescein solution (dilution of one strip in 0.3 mL sterile eyewash). Eyes were assessed using the cobalt blue filter of a slit lamp biomicroscope. TFBUT measurements were summarized as means ± standard deviation. The methods were compared using mixed model analysis of variance. All analyses were performed using sas version 9.4.
Results: Thirty-seven dogs met the inclusion criteria. Mean TFBUT ± standard deviation (SD) for the three described methods were: (a) 16.58s ± 6.9, (b) 15.98s ± 7.1, and (c) 16.43s ± 8.1. No differences between fluorescein stain application techniques were observed (p = .92).
Conclusion: The technique of fluorescein solution administration did not affect TFBUT measurement in this population of healthy dogs.
(© 2021 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.)