Research Details

Mamunur A.K.M. Rashid 1 , Zhang Zhe Thia 2, Calesta Hui Yi Teo 3 , Sumaiya Mamun 4 ,

Hon Shing Ong 3,5,6 and Louis Tong 2,3,5,6,*

1 Ophthalmology, Cornea unit, Al Noor Eye Hospital, 1/9 E, Satmasjid Road, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207,

Bangladesh; mamun3312@gmail.com

2 Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597,

Singapore; thiazz1995@hotmail.com

3 Ocular Surface Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, 20 College Road,

Discovery Tower Level 6, Singapore 169856, Singapore; teohuiyicalesta@gmail.com (C.H.Y.T.);

honshing@gmail.com (H.S.O.)

4 Nutrition and Epidemiology, Institute of Nutrition & Food Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000,

Bangladesh; sumaiya.mamun@du.ac.bd

5 Corneal and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Ave,

Singapore 168751, Singapore

6 Eye-Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Rd, Singapore 169857, Singapore

* Correspondence: louis.tong.h.t@singhealth.com.sg; Tel.: +65-6227-7255; Fax: +65-6225-2568

Received: 26 August 2020; Accepted: 14 October 2020; Published: 20 October 2020

Abstract: Strip meniscometry (SM) is a relatively new technique for evaluating inferior tear meniscus.

We described SM in an epidemiology study and its potential associations with clinical and tear

parameters. This cross-sectional study involved 1050 factory garment workers in Gazipur, Bangladesh.

The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and a standard examination for dry eye and

meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), including the five-second SM, were performed by a single

ophthalmologist. The participants’ ages were 35.56  and 12.12 years (range 18–59), with 53.8% women.

The overall SM was 7.7  3.6 mm, with skewness of 0.126 and kurtosis of 1.84 in a frequency distribution.

SM values were significantly lower in men than women, and significantly correlated with schirmers

(r = 0.71) and tear break-up time (TBUT) (r = 0.89). A lower SM value was associated with higher OSDI,

lower Schirmer test, increased MG severity, and lower TBUT. In multivariable analysis, when adjusted

by age, SM values remained associated with schirmers and TBUT, and inversely associated with

OSDI. In a separate regression model, higher SM was associated with increasing age, reduced severity

of MGD grading, and increased TBUT. To conclude, SM is a rapid clinical test associated with dry eye

symptoms and signs, with findings affected by both tear secretion and tear stability.

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