Evaluación clínica de la capa lipídica lagrimal en jovenes universitarios

Abstract

Introduction: Lipid layer stabilizes the tear film and facilities contact lens (CL) fitting since it retains the evaporation of the aqueous layer, prevents contamination of the tear film by skin lipids and avoids tears from overspilling onto the eyelid. Lipid layer thickness can be assessed by a tedious technique, rarely used in clinical settings, based on an interference phenomenon. The purpose was to assess the lipid layer of university population. Material and methods: Interferential lipid pattern was evaluated on 32 subjects (11 men and 21 women) from 19 to 27 years old (21.19 ± 1.84 years), free from ocular or systemic pathology with lachrymal effects, by using the Tearscope® mounted on a biomicroscope Shin-Nippon® after one normal blink and after 3 strong blinks. Results: The prevalence of interferential pattern found after one blink were as follows: open marmoreal 28.1%, closed marmoreal 37.5%, fluid 31.3% and one color pattern. After 3 strong blinks the percentage of thicker patters increased: open marmoreal: 12.5%, closed marmoreal 28.1%, fluid 34.4%, amorphous 21.9% and one case of color pattern. Conclusion: The high prevalence of thinner patterns indicates higher evaporation rate, which has to be considered in the CL fitting process. However, it would be necessary to increase the sample study to confirm this result. Lipid layer re-evaluation after 3 strong blinks assists to correct estimation of the lipid layer and is a useful tool in the diagnosis of the meibomiam gland dysfunction.