Madiha Durrani.
Sensitivity of diagnostic tests used in keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Al-Shifa J Ophthalmol Jan ;1(1):25-9.

Purpose of the study: To identify the appropriate and sensitive methods for diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Design: Cross sectional prevalence study starting from July 2002 till Dec.2002. Participants: This study included 100 patients, who had symptoms associated with dry eye recruited from the outpatient department of the Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, by convenient sampling. Outcome measures: The sensitivity of three diagnostic tests; Tear film break-up time, Schirmer test and Rose Bengal staining in correctly diagnostic patients with dry eye. Results: The mean sensitivity of these tests in diagnosis of dry eyes was 51.5% for Rose Bengal staining, 50.3%fpr TNIT and 47.5% for Schirmer’s. Conclusions: There is no single test that is absolutely diagnostic of dry eyes and performing all three tests in all patients is not cost effective. Depending upon the sensitivity of each test in different groups of patients it is recommended that Rose Bengal stain should be performed on patients with chemical burns Steven Johnson and Sjogren syndrome. Schirmer test should be performed on patients with trachomatous scarring and postmenopausal women. TBUT should be performed on contact lens wearers and patients with ocular allergic diseases.

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