Tear glucose estimation--an alternative to blood glucose estimation.

Dextrostix, being very sensitive to measure glucose level by glucose oxidase method, was chosen to measure tear glucose level to evaluate the relationship of tear glucose to blood glucose level in 94 cases. It was found that in our population the measurement of tear glucose has definite value in interpretation of glucose status of individual. So, it was suggested to use this simple method of detection of tear glucose to interpret hyperglycaemic state of the patients. The present study was undertaken (1) to sort out a definite relationship between tear and plasma glucose concentration and (2) to devise a rapid method for detection of tear glucose level semiquantitatively with glucose oxidase impregnated strips and to evaluate its role as indicator of plasma glucose level.