Tear break-up test

13/01/2026

This test is indicated for patients with symptoms such as ocular dryness, redness, itching and/or a foreign body sensation.

The tear break-up test, also known as the non-invasive tear break-up time test (NIBUT), is an ophthalmic examination that assesses the stability of the tear film on the ocular surface. Using the IDRA device, this measurement can be obtained quickly and non-invasively, while also recording other key parameters such as tear meniscus height, lipid layer thickness, the condition of the Meibomian glands, and blink frequency.

NIBUT is a fundamental tool for the diagnosis and management of ocular surface diseases, such as dry eye syndrome. The examination measures the time it takes for the tear film to break up after the last blink.

During the procedure, the patient rests their head on the device. First, they blink and then keep their eyes open while the instrument captures images of the ocular surface. The results are obtained immediately. No substance is applied to the eye, making the test comfortable and free from discomfort.

This test is indicated for patients with symptoms such as ocular dryness, redness, itching and/or a foreign body sensation. It is also used in preoperative assessments, such as prior to refractive or cataract surgery, as an unstable tear film can influence postoperative outcomes.

The test is useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of:

• Dry eye syndrome
• Blepharitis
• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Pre- and postoperative assessment in refractive surgery and cataracts.

Joaquim Fernández and Antonio Beltrán, Department of Biometry and Ocular Physiology of the Barraquer Opththalmology Centre