Fluoroquinolone-based fluorescence microscopic live imaging of conjunctival goblet cells for diagnosing dry eye disease

Abstract

Purpose : This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a noninvasive method for conjunctival goblet cell live imaging in evaluating dry eye disease (DED) in a laboratory mouse model.

Methods : We utilized fluoroquinolone-based fluorescence microscopy to observe conjunctival goblet cells in a mouse desiccation stress model noninvasively. We quantified and compared goblet cell density. Goblet cell density was compared with positively stained cell density from periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stained histological samples. The diagnostic accuracy of goblet cells live imaging was assessed through correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis

Results : Strong correlations were observed between goblet cell density obtained through live imaging of CGs and both clinical indicators of DED and histological PAS-positive cell density. During the observation period, goblet cell density in live imaging was correlated evidently with the severity of DED and the histological examinations. The receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed the high diagnostic efficacy of live conjunctival goblet cell imaging in assessing DED.

Conclusions : Our findings suggest that this innovative noninvasive imaging technique for conjunctival goblet cells is highly effective in determining DED severity and in monitoring treatment response, offering significant implications for clinical practice.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.