Diagnosis of Dry Eye Syndrome Using Ocular Surface Disease Index, Tear Film Break-up Time, and Schirmer Test.

Objective: To evaluate the subjects of possible ocular surface dysfunction in dry eye syndrome (DES) by using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and correlating it with the tear film break-up time (TBUT) test and Schirmer test.
Study Design: Cross-sectional, observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology (AFIO), National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from March to August 2022.
Methodology:  Demographics and detailed ophthalmological examinations were carried out for all the patients using slit lamp biomicroscopy. The questionnaire for OSDI was filled to calculate the OSDI score, Schirmer test, and TBUT test were performed for all patients. For statistical analysis, the mean test score of both eyes was used. Correlations between tests were drawn and reported.
Results: This study was conducted on ninety-seven adult participants with mean age of 31.3 ± 10.7 years, comprising of forty-five (46.4%) females and fifty-two (53.6%) males. The mean score for OSDI, TBUT, and Schirmer test was found to be 16.03 ± 14.22 (range 0 - 62.5), 9.63 ± 4.54 seconds (range 2.5 - 22.5), and 24.6 ± 10.85 mm (range 4.5 - 35.5), respectively. An inverse correlation was found between the OSDI and Schirmer, and OSDI and TBUT test scores which was also statistically significant. Schirmer and TBUT test scores also showed significant correlation.
Conclusion: The OSDI is quick, precise, feasible for self-assessment, and non-invasive standardised tool for evaluating symptoms of dry eye disease, hence it can aid in the diagnosis of DES.
Key Words: Dry eye syndrome, Ocular surface, Tear flim break-up time, Schirmer test.