Evaluation of Tear Film Lipid Layer Thickness Measurements Obtained Using an Ocular Surface Interferometer in Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Patients

PURPOSE: To compare the tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT) between patients with incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and normal controls and to analyze the changes in tear film LLT and blinking pattern after silicone tube intubation in NLDO patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 68 eyes in 52 incomplete NLDO patients who underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2017 to July 2017. The LLT, blinking pattern, and Meibomian gland image were measured with the LipiView II ocular surface interferometer. The Meibomian gland drop-out ratio was measured using the polygon selection tool in the Image J program. Tear meniscus height, which is the other lacrimal indicator, was assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Tear meniscus height was significantly decreased after silicone tube intubation (p < 0.01). Preoperative minimum, maximum, and average LLT values were 62.4 ± 24.0, 86.7 ± 17.9, and 71.7 ± 23.3 nm, respectively. Significant changes in the minimum, maximum, and average LLT (74.8 ± 23.6, 98.8 ± 11.0, and 91.6 ± 16.1 nm, respectively) were observed after silicone tube intubation (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001). The partial blinking/total blinking ratio in 20 seconds and the Meibomian gland drop-out ratio showed no significant change after silicone tube intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the LLT was increased after silicone tube intubation. Silicone tube intubation may be helpful in maintaining LLT with a normalized of amount of tears.