The Practical Detection of MMP-9 Diagnoses Ocular Surface Disease and May Help Prevent Its Complications

Abstract

A rapid in-office test that is sensitive for identifying inflammatory dry eye and ocular surface disease may facilitate better preoperative management of the ocular surface. Optimization of the ocular surface perioperatively would be expected to reduce complications from laser in situ keratomileusis and other surgeries that often make the underlying disease worse. This test may also indicate the need for antiinflammatory therapies, such as cyclosporine or steroids, and also may predict those patients who are more likely to respond.

Paper-based microfluidic system for tear electrolyte analysis

“…In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a lateral-flow diagnostic test (InflammaDry, Rapid Pathogen Screening Inc., Sarasota, FL, USA) that measures the concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) for the diagnosis of dry eye. 23,24 The concentration of MMP-9 has been shown to be elevated in the tears of patients with dry eye disease. 25 However, this assay requires multiple sample processing steps and gives a binary response limiting its value in determining severity.…”

Is contact lens wear inflammatory?

“…Assessment of inflammatory mediators has already made a tentative transition from the research laboratory into clinical practice, with the recent introduction of InflammaDry ® —a rapid, point-of-care test to detect for elevated levels of MMP-9, a known inflammatory marker for dry eye disease 24. Although this test was developed for the investigation of patients with suspected dry eye syndrome, it may also find use in the assessment of contact lens wearers, because ‘dryness’ has long been recognised as a major symptom associated with lens wear 25.…”

Keratoconjunctivitis vernalis

“…Ein Ulkus tritt bei etwa 5-10% der Kinder mit VKC auf. Vermutlich sind Metalloproteinasen und eosinophiles kationisches Protein (ECP) an der Hornhautschädigung beteiligt und führen zur Persistenz des Epitheldefektes [20]. Die Abheilung erfolgt oft mit Narbenbildung sowie irregulärem Astigmatismus und führt zu permanenter Visusminderung.…”