Quality of vision and tear film osmolarity.

SIGNIFICANCE: We evaluate the relationship between tear film osmolarity measurements and quality of vision in patients presenting for routine eye clinic appointments. We found that the hyperosmolar group (>316 mOsm/L) had a worse quality-of-vision score than the normal osmolarity group, with glare being the most problematic symptom.

PURPOSE: Quality of vision is a perception and measure of real-world vision, which is not measured routinely in a clinical setting. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between tear film osmolarity measurements and quality of vision in patients presenting for routine eye clinic appointments.

METHODS: This was an observational nonrandomized study. The participants were placed in groups based on tear film osmolarity (normal, ≤316 mOsm/L; hyperosmolar, >316 mOsm/L; or a difference of >8 mOsm/L between each eye). Thirty-three participants were enrolled in the study, of whom 22 were deemed to have a hyperosmolar tear film. A 30-item questionnaire including 10 symptoms rated on scales of frequency, severity, and bothersomeness was administered to participants in both groups. The quality-of-vision score ranged from 25 to 100 points, with lower scores indicating better quality of vision.

RESULTS: The hyperosmolar group had a significantly worse quality-of-vision score than the normal osmolarity group across all three scales; mean differences for frequency, severity, and bothersomeness were 12.66 ± 9.75 (p=0.003), 9.44 ± 7.45 (p=0.003), and 11.90 ± 11.14 (p=0.008), respectively. Of the 10 symptoms that were included in the questionnaire, glare was the most problematic in the hyperosmolar group.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated a significant relationship between tear film hyperosmolarity and quality of vision, as patients with hyperosmolar tear films had worse quality of vision.