Affiliations 

  • 1 International Islamic University Malaysia
IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2019;18(102):39-0.
MyJurnal

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of artificial tears (AT) instillation on tear film quality and quantity utilising two dual polymer artificial tears; Systane Hydration preservative (SH) and non-preservative (SHUD) in 60 minutes observation period compared to normal saline. Materials and methods: One hundred eyes of 50 participants involved in this prospective, double-masked randomised study. Viscosity and pH of both AT were evaluated using Rheometer and digital pH-meter respectively prior to tear film characteristics assessment. Tear break-up time (TBUT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) were measured at baseline, 5, 15 and 60 minutes after instillation. Tear ferning pattern (TFP) were compared between baseline and 60 minutes after instillation. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the effects of both AT instillation. Independent T-test was employed to compare between the two groups (SH vs SHUD) for each specific time-interval. P-value of 0.05 was set as the level of significance. Results: The viscosity of SH and SHUD was 0.0267Pa.s and 0.03273Pa.s respectively with pH of 7.85 for SH and 7.74 for SHUD. Both AT showed significant increment in TBUT between baseline and 15 minutes (SH: 5.82 ± 1.063, p = 0.01; SHUD: 6.02 ± 0.979, p