From the Research
ROPLAS is a valuable clinical test for diagnosing chronic dacryocystitis, but its use should be complemented with lacrimal irrigation due to its low sensitivity as reported in the most recent study 1. The clinical use of ROPLAS given its high specificity and sensitivity is primarily in the diagnosis of chronic dacryocystitis, particularly in the context of preoperative screening for cataract surgery.
- The test's high specificity, as noted in earlier studies like 2, indicates that when ROPLAS is positive, it is highly likely that the patient has chronic dacryocystitis.
- However, the more recent study 1 highlights a significant concern with the sensitivity of ROPLAS, which was found to be 54.5%, indicating that it may miss a substantial number of cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO).
- Given this information, the recommendation is to use ROPLAS as part of a comprehensive preoperative assessment but to always complement it with lacrimal irrigation to ensure accurate diagnosis of NLDO or chronic dacryocystitis.
- This approach is supported by the study 1, which suggests that performing both ROPLAS and lacrimal irrigation can provide a more accurate diagnosis than relying on ROPLAS alone.
- The principles of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values, as discussed in studies like 3, 4, and 5, are crucial in understanding the diagnostic performance of ROPLAS and the importance of combining it with other diagnostic tools for optimal patient care.