Evaluation of Strip Meniscometry and Association with Clinical and Demographic Variables in a Community Eye Study (in Bangladesh)

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 ± 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 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.