Abstract
BACKGROUND: A common ophthalmological disorder known as dry eye syndrome (DES) is characterized by ocular irritation and unstable tear films. There is growing evidence that tear dynamics and systemic glucose levels are related.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effect of 1.0% oral glucose consumption on the stability and generation of tears in DES patients.
METHODOLOGY: A quasi-experimental investigation was conducted with 70 euglycemic individuals aged 18-38. Initial assessments of tear film stability (TBUT) and tear generation (Schirmer test) were noted. Tests were repeated at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after participants had a 1.0% glucose solution. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: The results demonstrated that both tear production and tear stability were significantly affected following the intake of 1.0% glucose in euglycemic individuals with dry eye syndrome. Tear production declined from a baseline mean of 13.60 mm to a minimum of 10.51 mm at 60
minutes post-consumption, before rising steadily to reach 14.49 mm at 120 minutes. Similarly,
tear stability decreased to a low of 4.60 seconds at 60 minutes and improved to 7.01 seconds by
120 minutes. Repeated measures ANOVA confirmed these changes were statistically significant
(p < 0.001). These findings suggest a transient disruption followed by recovery in tear film
dynamics after glucose ingestion.
CONCLUSION: A biphasic pattern in tear dynamics, with an initial drop followed by a compensatory reaction, is
suggested by the short-term effects of a 1.0% glucose intake. These results support the significance of glucose regulation in the management of DES by highlighting the ocular surface's sensitivity to systemic metabolic alterations.