Association of Tear Film Stability and Corneal Surface Temperature in Pudong Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between corneal temperature on ocular surface and stability of tear film, and define the normal reference range of corneal surface temperature in the population of Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China.

METHODS: Temperature of cornea (TOC) and tear film break-up time (BUT) were measured among 515 volunteers with or without dry eye. The association between TOC and tear film stability was analyzed, and the normal reference range of TOC was determined.

RESULTS: TOC was 32.6 ± 0.97°C among the 318 subjects without dry eye including 147 males (TOC = 32.6 ± 0.70°C) and 171 females (TOC = 32.64 ± 1.16°C). Significant differences existed in TOC on ocular surface among three separated groups according to BUT measurement. Age was positively related to TOC, whereas BUT was negatively correlated with TOC.

CONCLUSION: It is recommended to consider 32.6 ± 0.70°C as the normal reference value for human central corneal temperature. Instability of tear film is concomitant with elevated TOC in the population of Pudong New Area, Shanghai.