Tear proteins are potential biomarkers, drug targets, and even biotherapeutics. As a biotherapeutic, a recombinant tear protein might physiologically rescue the ocular surface when a deficiency is detected. Such a strategy pays more attention to the natural prosecretory and protective properties of the tear film and seeks to alleviate symptoms by addressing cause, rather than the current pallia...

PURPOSE To determine whether various novel amphipathic polymers could be used to stabilize the tear film of the rat. The rheologic properties of these polymers were examined to investigate whether particular structural or physical characteristics improve the stability of the tear film. METHODS Amphipathic polymers or particular phospholipids were mixed with a test solution of tears and saline...

Deployments of tear gas and pepper spray have rapidly increased worldwide. Large amounts of tear gas have been used in densely populated cities, including Cairo, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, Manama (Bahrain), and Hong Kong. In the United States, tear gas was used extensively during recent riots in Ferguson, Missouri. Whereas tear gas deployment systems have rapidly improved-with aerial drone syste...

To assess the effect of glaucoma and timolol on tear secretion, basal tear turnover was measured with fluorophotometry in 13 open-angle glaucoma patients not using any ophthalmic medication, 24 patients using timolol medication daily, and 41 healthy control subjects. Basal tear turnover is defined as the tear turnover at the lowest level of reflex lacrimation possible under physiologic conditio...

Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both capable of diagnosing full-thickness rotator cuff tears. However, it is unknown which imaging modality is more accurate and precise in evaluating the characteristics of full-thickness rotator cuff tears in a surgical population. This study reviewed 114 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear over a...

Purpose This study evaluated the cytokine levels in unilateral tear samples from both sides in patients with pediatric lacrimal duct obstruction. Methods Fifteen cases of unilateral lacrimal duct obstruction (mean, 26.9 ± 28.7 months old) were enrolled in this study. Tear samples were collected separately from the obstructed side and the intact side in each case before surgery, which was perf...

The gene encoding human tear prealbumin, a major component of the protein fraction of tear fluid, was cloned from total cDNA of lacrimal gland by polymerase chain reaction using synthetic oligonucleotides derived from N-terminal amino acid sequences of the purified protein. Sequence analysis and a computer-assisted homology search revealed this protein to be a member of the lipocalin superfamil...

PURPOSE To compare tear epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration in dry eye (DE) conditions and determine correlations between EGF levels and severity of symptoms and ocular surface signs. METHODS In this prospective case-control study, 35 patients with DE, including subgroups with meibomian gland disease (MGD), Sjögren's syndrome (SS) aqueous tear deficiency, or neurotrophic keratopathy (...

ocular dryness is a well-recognized adverse side effect of many topical and systemic medications. in psychiatry, patients who have consumed such drugs as lithium carbonate and sodium valproate frequently experience dry eye symptoms. the purpose of this study was to compare tear film stability between patients who use these drugs with those patients who are not on medication.after obtaining info...