Regarding grades of severity, foreign body sensation was the most common symptom (70%), followed www.selleckchem.com/products/BAY-73-4506.html by dryness of severe grade (48%) and discomfort/irritation of severe grade (34%) [Table 1]. Table 1 Distribution of symptoms of dry eye according to grades of severity Severe dry eye was detected by Schirmer test in seven patients (14%), while PRT detected severe dry eye in nine patients (18%). Schirmer test detected borderline dry eye in 25 (50%) patients, while PRT detected this in 22 (44%) patients [Table 2]. Of the patients detected borderline dry eye by Schirmer, 10 (20%) were positive for severe dry eye by PRT, and of those detected borderline dry eye by PRT, nine (18%) were positive for severe dry eye by Schirmer test. Kappa value between PRT and Schirmer test was found to be 0.

96, showing a strong agreement between the two tests. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two tests in diagnosing dry eye. Table 2 Schirmer test versus phenol red thread test DISCUSSION Symptoms of dry eye are relatively common in the ophthalmic practice, especially in elderly population. Dry eye affects the quality of life and may also be sight threatening. Despite many studies on dry eye, there is still lack of uniform criteria for the diagnosis of dry eye. A quartet of diagnostic tests has been universally applied, i.e. to assess symptoms, tear stability, ocular surface staining and reflex tear flow. This study showed that foreign body sensation was the most common symptom present in all patients, followed by discomfort/irritation in 98% of patients.

This is in accordance with the findings of Bandeen Rosche et al.,[6] who found gritty or sandy sensation followed by burning sensation which compelled the patient to seek advice. Comparatively, few studies have been done on PRT. It was developed to overcome the disadvantages of Schirmer test, including variable results, low sensitivity and failure to measure basal secretions even when used without anesthesia. Although the method of conducting the test is almost similar to Schirmer test, but there are major differences. There is little or no sensation of thread; so, reflex tear secretion is minimal. Test time required per eye is only 15 seconds as compared to 5 minutes for Schirmer test and causes less discomfort to the patient. A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted by Sahai et al.

in Jaipur found 18.4% prevalence of dry eye, with maximum occurrence among those above 70 years of age (36.1%), Brefeldin_A followed by patients of 31�C40 years (20%). It was more in females (22.8%) than in males (14.9%).[4] In the present study, maximum prevalence was seen in 60�C69 years age group, followed by 50�C59 years, with more prevalence in females. Asbell and Chiang showed that PRT test is more repeatable and statistically reliable, with lesser intra-individual variation than Schirmer test.