Cont Lens Anterior Eye . 2026 Feb;49(1):102599. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2025.102599. Epub 2025 Dec 26. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To objectively evaluate tear film parameters in children diagnosed with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) using the MYAH device, and to compare the findings with…
Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2026 Feb;49(1):102599. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2025.102599. Epub 2025 Dec 26.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To objectively evaluate tear film parameters in children diagnosed with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) using the MYAH device, and to compare the findings with those of healthy controls.
METHODS: This cross-sectional, case-control study included 45 children with clinically diagnosed VKC and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent non-invasive ocular surface assessment using the MYAH system. The evaluated parameters included non-invasive tear break-up time (NI-TBUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), blink rate, and ocular protection index (OPI). Correlations between tear film parameters and VKC severity scores were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.
RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the VKC group showed significantly lower values in NI-TBUT (5.2 ± 2.1 s vs. 12.8 ± 3.6 s, p < 0.001), TMH (0.18 ± 0.07 mm vs. 0.28 ± 0.05 mm, p < 0.001), blink rate (11 ± 5 vs. 17 ± 4 blinks/min, p = 0.002), and OPI (2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 6.8 ± 2.0, p < 0.001). NI-TBUT and TMH demonstrated moderate negative correlations with clinical severity scores (r = -0.62, p < 0.001 and r = -0.58, p < 0.001, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Children with VKC exhibit significant alterations in tear film dynamics, even in the absence of visual acuity loss. The MYAH device offers a non-invasive, and pediatric-friendly approach for objectively assessing tear film stability and blink behavior. These parameters may serve as useful biomarkers for disease severity and monitoring in pediatric VKC.
PMID:41455292 | DOI:10.1016/j.clae.2025.102599