Short break-up time type dry eye has potential ocular surface abnormalities

PURPOSE: To describe a case series in which corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) development occurred in short break-up time (s-BUT) dry eyes after a short period during prolonged opening of the eye. METHODS: The study was designed as a clinical case series. Ocular surface evaluations were performed on 13 individuals with s-BUT dry eye. Tear function examinations included Schirmer's test and BUT evaluation. RESULTS: In all 13 cases, the BUT was short, but the tear quantity was not so bad. In all cases, CFS developed following a single eye opening, and the staining was observed at sites that showed as dark spots. In several cases, the CFS disappeared later. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that CFS could develop following a single eye opening. Based on our findings, CFS is a dynamic phenomenon rather than a stable indicator of ocular surface abnormalities. Moreover, s-BUT dry eye has the potential to show ocular surface abnormalities.