A simple test for lacrimal gland function: a tear lactoferrin assay by radial immunodiffusion

“…These include deficiencies in tear proteins (for example, lactoferrin, lysozyme, prealb u m i n ) 114.114 a n d growth factors (for example, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factors)'I5 and increase in inflammatory cells. "l,"h In all forms of dry eye, irrespective of the mechanism, the conjunctival ocular surface undergoes squamous metaplasia, a progressive transition to a non-secretory, keratinised epithelium.xi',l'7.…”

Section: Environmental Influencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dry eye: an update on clinical diagnosis, management and promising new treatments

Albietz

2001

Clinical and Experimental Optometry

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Dry eye conditions are prevalent with one in four to five patients presenting to eye care practitioners having dry eye signs and/or symptoms. An intimate relationship exists between the ocular surface and the tear film. The cycle of tear film instability and ocular surface damage characteristic of dry eye conditions suggests that dry eye represents a dysfunction of an integrated ocular surface-lacrimal gland unit. Therefore, dry eye is a multifactorial condition and ari approach based on clinical subtypes is required for diagnosis and management. There is increasing evidence that inflammation is a contributing and exacerbating factor in dry eye conditions and anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy for chronic dry eye conditions may facilitate ocular surface healing. Other promising new treatments for dry eye include new generation artificial tear polymers and preservative systems, secretagogues, topical androgen supplements and surgical techniques for ocular surface reconstruction. Key words: artificial tear supplements, dry eye, dry eye treatments, evaporative dry eye, ocular surface disorders, tear deficient dry eye, tear filmThe concept of the 'dry eye' was initially used to describe symptoms of ocular irritation due to insufficiency in lacrimal gland aqueous tear secretion and leading to ocular surface damage. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was the term given to the ocular surface disease that develops in patients with aqueous tear deficiency. Over the past 30 years, knowledge of the pathogenic factors involved in dry eye states has grown significantly. Many patients with dry eye symptoms produce a normal quantity of aqueous tears hut have other tear film and/or ocular surface disorders.'.' The definition of dry eye has b e e n e x p a n d e d to include any anomaly in a gland associated with tear production or an anomaly in lid and/or blinking function in which the quality and/or quantity of the tear film is adversely affected and there is an inability to maintain a healthy ocular surface.2sThe multifactorial nature of dry eye conditions has produced the term 'tear film and ocular surface disorders" as an alternative to the term dry eye. This recognises the intimate relationship between the omlar surface and the tear film and the cycle of tear film instability and ocular surface damage characteristic of dry eye. It also acknowledges recent suggestions that dry eye represents a dysfunction of an integrated ocular surface-lacrimal gland unit."," The ocular s u r f x e (conjunctiva, cornea, accessory lacrimal glands and meibomian glands), the lacrimal gland and the interconnecting neural reflex loops appear to comprise a tightly integrated functional unit, the parts of which ac.t together and not in isolation.' Decreased lacrimal gland secretion damages the ocular s u r h c e , which creates a negative feedback loop resulting in damage to the lacrimal gland. There are probably several mechanisms by which this feedback occurs: 1. interruption or damage to the sensory 2. damage to the lacrimal gland 3. altera...

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“…A diameter of lysozyme lysis of less than 22.5 mm (corresponding to 1425 mcg/ml) was considered pathologic. The lactoferrin tear fluid concentration was measured by the radial immunodiffusion method [2] using the J.D.C. lactoplate (Culemborg, The Netherlands).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tear function in relation to the world health organization classification of cicatrization in trachoma

1988

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In 102 patients equally divided into three groups with mild, moderate, and severe cicatricial trachoma, corresponding to the WHO numerical scoring of 1962, the tear function parameters (tear fluid lysozyme and lactoferrin concentrations), the rose bengal score, the Schirmer test, and the break-up time were studied. All parameters showed a statistically significant difference in tear function among the three groups. There was no statistically significant difference in measurements of tear function in subdivisions of the three groups.

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A simple test for lacrimal gland function: a tear lactoferrin assay by radial immunodiffusion

Cited by 49 publications

References 17 publications

Long term course of tear gland function in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjogren's syndrome

Long term course of tear gland function in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjogren's syndrome

Dry eye: an update on clinical diagnosis, management and promising new treatments

Tear function in relation to the world health organization classification of cicatrization in trachoma

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