Researchers have found that the timing and quantity of lissamine green dye use are both important when assessing lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE). The study found that one 10mL drop of lissamine green is sufficient and that waiting three to five minutes before inspecting the staining will garner better results than checking after one minute. Researchers presented their findings at ARVO 2019 in Vancouver earlier this year.

The team analyzed 37 individuals with LWE and administered a 10mL drop of 1% lissamine green to the superior bulbar conjunctiva of the right eye. The researchers took images at one, three and five minutes post-dye dosing repeated the measurements in the same eye with two instillations of 1% lissamine green.

Results showed that drop dosage and time were significant because of the change in minimum intensity that occurred over time and the difference in minimum intensity that existed overall between the specific staining conditions. The study concluded that LWE assessments should require attention to the time point of visual inspection as well as the amount of staining carried out.