Abstract
Presentation Description :
Tear fluid has emerged as an important source of biomarkers that change in their molecular and metabolite composition in response to ocular health status and various stimuli. Therefore, tear biomarkers have a clear application as companion diagnostics in the ocular surface clinics. However, the relevance of the biomarkers and their selection for diagnostic purposes must rely on information generated through laboratory experiments regarding molecular mechanisms and their correlation with clinical symptoms. To that end, the dynamic composition changes of tear fluids is a challenge for laboratory research. The methods of tear collection, their extraction processes, the methods of analysis of the proteins or metabolites, all have intricacies that can alter the profiles. Further, the genetic basis, the geographical area, the environmental stimuli, etc, can affect the tear composition at a certain time of the day or season, thereby presenting researchers with key challenges in interpretation of the data generated. Hence comparative analysis of laboratory methods of tear fluid studies is important. In our studies spanning a variety of ocular surface conditions such as Dry Eye Disease, Keratoconus, Stevens' Johnson Syndrome, Corneal Dystrophy, Retinopathy of Prematurity, etc using a variety of methods such as multiplex ELISA, proteomics, metabolomics and enzymatic assays, we have observed distinct disease associated patterns. Importantly, we have also observed the application of specific types of collection methods (Schirmer's strips vs capillary) for distinct downstream assay purposes. Further, by performing studies on specific biomarkers on large cohorts using a singular collection and extraction method, we have generated normative data for the population which will be of importance to overcome some of the challeneges of variability observed. These data and discussion points will be useful to demonstrate not only the challenges, but also ways of overcoming such hurdles to realise the potential of tear biomarkers in the clinics.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.