Introduction/Objective. The objective of this paper was to assess the
diagnostic value of three simple dry eye (DE) tests: lid parallel
conjunctival folds (LIPCOF), tear meniscus height (TMH), and tear ferning
(TF). Methods. Diagnostic DE tests LIPCOF, TMH and TF tests were performed
in 100 patients. Eighty of them were referred to us by rheumatologists and
general practitioners either during evaluation for Sj?gren?s syndrome, or
because of DE symptoms. Control group was made of 20 patients, with no DE
relating symptoms. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was
used for DE symptoms? evaluation. Results of LIPCOF, TMH and TF tests were
compared with results of Copenhagen criteria (CC) DE tests i.e., tear
fluorescein break up time, Schirmer I and Rose Bengal tests. Ability of
tests to recognize DE in various grades according to Dry Eye Work Shop
(DEWS) report score system was assessed. Results. Compared to CC,
sensitivity of LIPCOF and TMH was high: 92.8% and 83.5%, while specificity
was low: 34.4% and 49.2%, respectively. TF had low sensitivity of 59.1% but
high specificity of 82.7%. Mean values of both LIPCOF and TMH differed
significantly (F = 7.222, p < 0.001 and F = 11.802, p < 0.001) between
control group and all DEWS DE grades, but not among different grades of DE.
Conclusions. Diagnostic tests TMH and LIPCOF showed high sensitivity which
makes them excellent screening DE tests. Low sensitivity of TF suggests that
it is not truly a good screening test on its own, but its high specificity
is of definite value.