The ageing tear film

Alan Tomlinson, Careen Giesbrecht

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the normal tearfilm, age changes include a decrease in reflex secretion, a reduction in tear turnover rate, lowerconcentrations of lacrimal gland proteins and decreasing tear film stability (BUT). However, tear volume and basal secretion rates are unchanged. The question is asked, Does tear film evaporation change with age?'A study of 47 normal subjects (showing no dry eye symptomatology) was carried out on patients aged from 7 to 92 years. Tear evaporation rate was measured by a vapour pressure gradient evaporimeter (Servomed). No significant change was found in tear evaporation with increasing age. A possible explanation for this result and previous observations on the ageing tear film is that, in normal older eyes, there is a reduced elimination (drainage) facility. It is suggested that this provides a compensatory mechanism which combats the potential for dry eye in the ageing normal eye.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)67-69
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of the British Contact Lens Association
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1993

Keywords

  • age
  • evaporation
  • Tears

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Optometry

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