Effect of age and tropical antibiotics on the non-invasive tear break-up time in young Nigerian adults

Abstract

The effect of age and topical antibiotics on the non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) in the young adult, in a defined population was investigated. Forty healthy young adults with age range of fifteen to 30 years and mean age 23.9 + 2.9 years, from among the students of University of Benin, were recruited for this study. Noting the time taken for the images of the Keratometer mires on the cornel surface to show distortion or diffusion assessed the NIBUT. The NIBUT was measured before and 10 minutes after instilling either chloramphenicol 0.5% or gentamicin 0.3% guttae. The results showed that the mean NIBUT for the sample population was 14.1+ 3.0 seconds. Majority (60%) of the eyes had NIBUT values within eleven to 15 seconds. The difference in mean NIBUT between males and females was not statistically significant by Mann-Whitney U test (Z=0.16, p=0.56). The NIBUT was not affected by age (r=+0.16, p>0.05). The difference in mean NIBUT before and after instilling 0.5% chloramphenicol guttae was statistically significant for both males and females. Also, the difference in mean NIBUT before and after instilling 0.3% gentamicin was statically significant for females. Eye care practitioners should discourage the indiscriminate use of topical antibiotics. The tear film stability of candidates desiring to wear contact lenses should be assessed by either NIBUT or invasive tear break-up time (TBUT) and used as the determinant for suitability for successful contact lens wear.

Keywords: Non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), age and topical antibiotics

Annals of Biomedical Science Vol. 4 (1) 2005: pp. 10-18