Open AccessRepeatability and Reproducibility of Tear Film Evaporation Rate Measurement using a new Closed-Chamber Evaporimeter
Author(s) -
Ali Abusharha,
Ali Al Yami,
Khaled Alsreea,
Raied Fagehi,
Ali Alsaqr,
Saud A. Alanazi,
Ali Masmali
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the open ophtalmology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 19
ISSN - 1874-3641
DOI - 10.2174/1874364102115010117
Subject(s) - repeatability , reproducibility , intraclass correlation , medicine , ophthalmology , evaporation , confidence interval , limits of agreement , biomedical engineering , surgery , nuclear medicine , chromatography , chemistry , physics , thermodynamics
Purpose: This study evaluates the repeatability and reproducibility of tear film evaporation rate measurement using a commercially available handheld closed-chamber evaporimeter (VapoMeter, Delfin Technologies, Finland). Study Design: This was a randomized observational study, in which two visits were required. At visit 1, screening tests were performed on the participants. Subsequently, tear evaporation was measured thrice by examiner 1 (E1). The procedure was then repeated by examiner 2 (E2) at visit 2. Methods: 40 healthy participants with no ocular diseases were recruited for this study. A closed chamber evaporimeter was used in this study (VapoMeter, Delfin Technologies, Finland). Primary investigations, including slit-lamp examination, tear production test, and ocular discomfort, were performed during the first visit for the purpose of screening. Results: The mean of the three measurements of tear evaporation obtained by examiner 1 at visit 1 was 19.38 ± 0.79 g/m 2 /h, and the mean of the three readings obtained by examiner 2 at visit 2 was 20.49 ± 0.48 g/m 2 /h. The average Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) among the three readings of tear evaporation was 0.84 and 0.63 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at visits 1 and 2, respectively. A comparison of the reliability of the measurements from the two examiners revealed an ICC of 0.69 with a 95% CI. Conclusion: The VapoMeter provides repeatable and reproducible measurements of tear film evaporation. This study demonstrates that the VapoMeter could provide clinicians with a readily available method for rapid evaluation of tear film evaporation. By considering the significance of tear evaporation as a diagnostic tool for dry eyes, the VapoMeter may help to diagnose better and manage dry eye syndrome.