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Tear ferning test in horses and its correlation with ocular surface evaluation.
Abstract: To describe the tear ferning test (TFT) in healthy horses and its correlation with other parameters for evaluating the ocular surface. Methods: Thirty male and female adult healthy horses (60 eyes), of no defined breed. Methods: Tear sample was collected with a microcapillary tube, placed on the surface of a glass slide, and allowed to dry at room temperature. The crystallization pattern was classified according to Rolando (Chibret International Journal Ophthamology, 1984; 2, 32). The program STEPanizer(©) stereology tool, version 1.0, was utilized for counting points on the digitally captured crystallization image. A conjunctival biopsy was performed. Results: Tear ferning test was classified as Type I in 18 eyes (30%), Type II in 31 eyes (51.7%), and Type III in 11 eyes (18.3%), at a mean temperature of 27.3 ± 1.5 °C and relative humidity of 61.5 ± 5.7%. In the Type I crystallization, the count varied between 27 and 36 points (mean: 33.27 ± 2.40), in Type II between 22 and 31 points (25.42 ± 1.95), and in Type III between 13 and 25 points (16.82 ± 3.76). There was no statistical difference or correlation between the right and left eyes, nor was there a statistically significant influence (P < 0.05) on TFT by the factors evaluated. The mean goblet cells values were 50 ± 11.4 cells/field. All samples showed the presence of lymphocytes, plasmocytes, and eosinophils. Conclusions: Tear ferning test is easy to perform, without risks to the patient. Once standardized for horses, associated or not with the program STEPanizer(©) stereology tool, it is an additional method for evaluating the ocular surface.
© 2015 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Publication Date: 2015-03-28 PubMed ID: 25818834DOI: 10.1111/vop.12268Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research focused on assessing the tear ferning test (TFT) in healthy horses. A deeper look into the study’s methods, results, and conclusions reveals that this test could form an excellent additional method for evaluating the health of ocular surfaces in this species.
Methods
The researchers applied the tear ferning test (TFT) method on both eyes of 30 male and female adult horses without a specified breed. The methods used were:
- Collecting tear samples with a mini-capillary tube
- Placing it on a glass slide and allowing it to dry at room temperature
- Categorizing the crystallization pattern with reference to Rolando’s classification (Chibret International Journal Ophthamology, 1984; 2, 32)
- Using the STEPanizer(©) stereology tool, version 1.0, to count points on the digitized crystallization image
- Performing a conjunctival biopsy
Results
The study’s findings demonstrate:
- Type I crystallization was found in 18 eyes (30%), Type II in 31 eyes (51.7%), and Type III in 11 eyes (18.3%)
- The mean temperature at which these samples dried was 27.3 ± 1.5 °C with a relative humidity of 61.5 ± 5.7%
- The count of points varied depending on the type of crystallization: Type I had between 27 and 36 points (average: 33.27 ± 2.40), Type II between 22 and 31 points (25.42 ± 1.95) , and Type III between 13 and 25 points (16.82 ± 3.76).
- The scientists found no significant statistical difference, correlation between right and left eyes, or influence (P < 0.05) on TFT by factors evaluated
- The average goblet cells values stood at 50 ± 11.4 cells/field, with all samples showing the presence of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils
Conclusions
From the study, it emerges that the Tear Ferning Test (TFT) is easy to perform and risk-free for the subject. Once standardized for the use of horses, the test could serve as a supplementary method for evaluating the ocular surface. The STEPanizer(©) stereology tool could also be employed concurrently, either independently or collaboratively.
Cite This Article
APA
Silva LR, Gouveia AF, de Fátima CJ, Oliveira LB, Reis JL, Ferreira RF, Pimentel CM, Galera PD.
(2015).
Tear ferning test in horses and its correlation with ocular surface evaluation.
Vet Ophthalmol, 19(2), 117-123.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.12268 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
- Regimento de Polícia Montada Coronel Rabelo of the Military Police of the Federal District, Brasilia, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
- Veterinary Medicine Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cell Count
- Conjunctiva / anatomy & histology
- Eye / anatomy & histology
- Female
- Goblet Cells / cytology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Ocular Physiological Phenomena
- Osmolar Concentration
- Surface Properties
- Tears / chemistry
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Fagehi R, El-Hiti GA, Alqarni BM, Alanazi MA, Masmali AM, Almubrad T. Improvement in Tear Ferning Patterns of Sheep Tears After Addition of Various Electrolyte Solutions. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021;8:721969.
- Tang YJ, Chang HH, Tsai CY, Chen LY, Lin DP. Establishment of a Tear Ferning Test Protocol in the Mouse Model. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020 Dec;9(13):1.
- Oriá AP, Lacerda AJ, Raposo ACS, Araújo NLLC, Portela R, Mendonça MA, Masmali AM. Comparison of Electrolyte Composition and Crystallization Patterns in Bird and Reptile Tears. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:574.
- Raposo AC, Portela RD, Aldrovani M, Barral TD, Cury D, Oriá AP. Comparative Analysis of Tear Composition in Humans, Domestic Mammals, Reptiles, and Birds. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:283.
- Veloso JF, Oriá AP, Raposo ACS, Lacerda AJ, Silva CVB, Lima LF, Carlos RSA. The use of tear ferning test in cats for evaluation of ocular surface. Acta Vet Scand 2020 May 26;62(1):23.
- Am M, Ra F, El-Naggar AH, Tm A. Structure and microanalysis of tear film ferning of camel tears, human tears, and Refresh Plus. Mol Vis 2018;24:305-314.
- Williams D, Hewitt H. Tear ferning in normal dogs and dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Open Vet J 2017;7(3):268-272.
- Costa AR, Ribeiro TA, Silva DMC, Júnior JRDS, Lima TB, Gil da Costa RM, Faustino-Rocha AI, Oliveira PA, Abreu-Silva AL. Effects of Canthoplasty in Preventing Secondary Ocular Surface Lesions in Brachycephalic Dogs. Vet Sci 2025 Sep 15;12(9).
- Pe'er O, Sebbag L, Zahavi A, Girshevitz O, Goldenberg-Cohen N, Ofri R. Trace Element Levels in Canine Tear Film. Vet Ophthalmol 2026 Jan;29(1):e70004.
- Vitor RC, de Carvalho Teixeira JB, Dos Santos KC, Oliveira GMS, Guedes PEB, da Paixão Sevá A, Gomes Junior DC, Veloso JF, Carlos RSA. Shih-Tzu dogs show alterations in ocular surface homeostasis despite adequate aqueous tear production. Acta Vet Scand 2024 Jan 17;66(1):3.
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