ABSTRACT
Coffee (Coffea arabica Linn.) is a highly consumed beverage all over the world. Caffeinated coffee is the most socially accepted psychoactive stimulants consumed in the world. There are benefits and drawbacks to caffeine, including some which affects ocular health. Tear Quantity and tear quality are important parameters in maintaining a healthy ocular surface, and optimum vision. Conditions such as Dry eye resulting from excessively decreased tear quantity and tear quality greatly affect the quality of vision and the health of ocular surface structures. 45 individuals between the ages 18-35 (mean age 23.13 ± 2.90) years underwent assessment on the effect of caffeine given in graded doses and according to their weight on their tear quantity and tear quality. The participants were divided into 5 groups; Group A consumed 1mg/Kg of caffeine, Group B consumed 1.5mg/Kg of Caffeine, Group C consumed 2mg/kg of caffeine, Group D consumed 2.5mg/Kg of caffeine, which were all dissolved in 250ml of water. A control group which consumed 250ml of water made up group E, enabling a comparative analysis. The baseline values of their tear quantity were ascertained using the Schirmer 1 test, and their tear quality were ascertained using the Keratometer to perform the non-invasive tear break up time test. Tear quality after 30 minutes of caffeine consumption showed p=0.885, after 60 minutes showed p=0.619, after 90 minutes showed p=0.133. Tear quantity after 30 minutes of caffeine consumption showed p=0.373, after 60 minutes showed p=0.192, after 90 minutes showed p=0.278. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that graded doses of caffeinated coffee has no effect on tear quality and tear quantity.
KEYWORDS: Coffee, Caffeine, Tear Quantity, Tear Quality, Healthy adults
