AIM: To explore the difference of dry eyes between children and adults in terms of symptoms and laboratory examinations.

METHODS: Patients in 2018-06/2019-02 with the subjective symptoms of dry eye, and served in Xi'an First Hospital, including 52 children clinic cases(52 eyes)and 55 adult patients cases(55 eyes), all the cases were consulted and examined by slit lamp microscope in anterior segment. Both eyes of tear meniscus height(TMH), the first tear film break-up time(BUTf), the average tear film break-up time(BUTave), lipid layer thickness(LLT)and mesangial gland loss rate were measured by a Keratograph 5M non-invasive ocular surface analyzer.

RESULTS: In children, patients' TMH(0.15±0.04mm), BUTf(3.22±1.24s), BUTave(4.27±1.67s), and the rate of meibomian gland loss \〖0.00%(0.00%, 5.03%)\〗 were significantly lower than those in the adult group [0.20±0.05mm, 4.36±1.93s, 5.15±1.49s, 9.90%(5.30%, 18.40%), all P<0.01]. The LLT in the children was higher than that of the adult group, and the difference was not statistically significant(72.31±22.20nm vs 68.58±21.05nm, P>0.05). Both groups of patients had positive correlation sympathise with BUTf and BUTave, with no correlation between LLT and meibomian gland loss rate in children(r_s=-0.23,P=0.10), and adult group patients with negative correlation of LLT and meibomian gland loss rate(r_s=-0.28,P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Children's dry eyes and adult dry eyes in the symptoms, clinical manifestations and examination are different. The main symptom is the increase in the number of blinks. The inspection is mainly characterized by a short BUT. With the decrease of TMH, the rate of meibomian gland loss is relatively insignificant.