Current Eye ResearchPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2025.2581623
Yutong Wang, Li Liang, Rudy M M A Nuijts, Marlies Gijs
{"title":"Comparing Analyte Concentrations in Paired Tear Fluid and Blood Samples.","authors":"Yutong Wang, Li Liang, Rudy M M A Nuijts, Marlies Gijs","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2581623","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2581623","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To compare analyte concentrations in paired tear fluid and blood samples, and to evaluate their correlations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Studies published between January 1974 and May 2024 and between May 2024 and March 2025, reporting analyte concentrations in tear fluid and blood (including whole blood, serum, or plasma), were identified from a recent scoping review and through searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE, respectively. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted relevant data. Concentration data were then pooled using a random-effects model. Comparisons between pooled tear fluid and blood concentrations were performed using Bayesian posterior simulation methods, in which the differences in concentrations were evaluated based on estimated posterior probabilities. Blood-to-tear and tear-to-blood ratios were calculated. A total of 72 significant correlation coefficients from 65 studies were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 367 paired tear fluid and blood concentrations for 138 analytes were collected. Based on their functional characteristics, these analytes were divided into nine categories. Most cytokines and neuromodulators exhibited higher concentrations in tear fluid than in blood, while antibodies, drugs, and other proteins or enzymes were generally found at higher concentrations in blood. The highest tear-to-blood ratio was for lactoferrin at 1281-fold, while the highest blood-to-tear ratio was observed for MMP-2 (400-fold). Most analytes (<i>n</i> = 64, 89%) showed positive correlations (<i>r</i> > 0), with the majority (<i>n</i> = 23, 32%) exhibiting strong positive correlations (<i>r</i> > 0.8).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This comprehensive analysis demonstrates that analyte concentrations in paired tear fluid and blood vary according to their functional categories, with cytokines and neuromodulators generally enriched in tear fluid, and antibodies and drugs more abundant in blood. Strong positive correlations between tear fluid and blood concentrations for most analytes support the potential of tear fluid analysis for monitoring systemic physiological and pathological conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1174-1185"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145494993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Eye ResearchPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-08-10DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2026.2715211
Amalia Enríquez-de-Salamanca
{"title":"Tear Fluid Biomarkers for Ocular Pain.","authors":"Amalia Enríquez-de-Salamanca","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2715211","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2715211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There is a growing interest in identifying potential biomarkers that can objectively serve as tools for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of ocular chronic pain. Although pain is a biological warning signal absolutely necessary for our survival, when it lasts for 3 or more months it becomes chronic and then it is considered a disease by itself. Chronic pain is a very disabling condition/disease which highly impairs the quality of life of patients. Development of ocular chronic pain, persistent and of high intensity, is present in some patients with dry eye disease (DED), or it can be triggered by some pathological events or after surgical procedures. However, in many of these cases the ocular clinical examination is apparently normal, and the explanation of that pain is not obvious. This type of pain is also difficult to treat because its pathophysiological mechanisms are not completely understood yet, and there are no standard criteria for its diagnosis. Several tear fluid biomarkers have been presented for different ocular diseases, and also for non-ocular, systemic diseases. Different studies have addressed the analysis of tear molecular profiles, including proteins, cytokines and neuromediators such as IL-9, MIP-1α, IL-10, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6, Fractalkine, IL-1RA, Substance P, CGRP, NPY, and NGF levels associated with the presence of chronic ocular pain. Additionally, the preoperative tear levels of CGRP have been shown as predictive risk factor for ocular pain development after refractive surgery. These specific molecular profiles might help to explain the differences in symptomatology and clinical parameters in patients suffering from ocular pain and to identify those subjects more prone to develop it. Understanding the molecular bases underlying ocular pain will help in the search for effective, selective, and personalized therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1223-1227"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Eye ResearchPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-03-28DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2026.2647941
Pari N Shams, Mohammad Javed Ali
{"title":"Tear Proteomics and Insights into Lacrimal Drainage Disorders: Lacriome Paper 8.","authors":"Pari N Shams, Mohammad Javed Ali","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2647941","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2647941","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To synthesize and evaluate current evidence from tear proteomic and cytokine profiling studies in lacrimal drainage disorders, with a primary focus on primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This review aims to identify diagnostic biomarkers, elucidate underlying immunopathogenic mechanisms, and explore translational opportunities to improve clinical management and surgical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifteen peer-reviewed studies were systematically reviewed, encompassing proteomic, immunoassay, and cytokine analyses of tear fluid from adult and pediatric patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Included investigations comprised pre- and post-surgical cohorts, subgroup analyses by age, sex, and systemic disease status, and multiple analytical platforms such as mass spectrometry, ELISA, and multiplex bead-based assays. Studies were evaluated for methodological rigor, reproducibility, and clinical applicability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across the included studies, a consistent upregulation of inflammatory cytokines-particularly IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and VEGF-A-was observed in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction patients compared to controls. Proteomic alterations involving antimicrobial, stress-response, and epithelial repair proteins (e.g. S100A8/A9, prolactin-inducible protein, lipocalin-1) were recurrently reported. Distinct cytokine patterns were noted in pediatric and diabetic subgroups, while diurnal variation influenced cytokine expression in control eyes. Post-dacryocystorhinostomy cohorts demonstrated partial normalization of IL-1β and IL-6 levels, correlating with improved tear osmolarity, meniscus dynamics, and patient-reported outcomes. Proteomic findings further implicated systemic inflammation, hormonal modulation, and mucosal barrier dysfunction in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction pathogenesis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Tear proteomics has revealed a reproducible inflammatory and immune signature in lacrimal drainage disorders, positioning tear fluid as a valuable, noninvasive biospecimen for diagnosis, monitoring, and precision-based management. Emerging biomarker panels hold potential to stratify disease severity, predict surgical success, and guide individualized therapy. Future work should prioritize multicenter validation, standardized sampling protocols, and integration with advanced analytical and AI-driven diagnostic platforms.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1214-1222"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147572780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Eye ResearchPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-08-22DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2026.2721031
Sonja Mertsch, Marlies Gijs
{"title":"Tear Fluid: A Bridge Between Basic Biology and Modern Research Strategies.","authors":"Sonja Mertsch, Marlies Gijs","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2721031","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2721031","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1139-1140"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148789453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Eye ResearchPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-07-02DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2026.2695775
Arun Kumar Raut, Stefan Schrader, Sonja Mertsch
{"title":"Current Experimental Methods for Restoration of the Tear Film.","authors":"Arun Kumar Raut, Stefan Schrader, Sonja Mertsch","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2695775","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2695775","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Tear film disorders, particularly dry eye disease (DED), are among the most common ocular surface conditions and arise from dysfunction of the lacrimal functional unit, including the lacrimal gland, meibomian glands, and conjunctival goblet cells.Despite the recent advancements in the management of the tear film disorders, the treatment still remains palliative. Hence there is a need for research focusing on regenerative approaches to restore the physiological functions and homeostasis of the tear film.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A selective literature review was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Medline. The review is based on 127 relevant publications published up to January 2026, with emphasis on experimental and translational approaches for restoring tear film homeostasis. In addition, the latest advances in lacrimal gland regeneration are described, including recent studies conducted by our research group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This review aims to first give an overview about the underlying diseases which alters the tear film composition, secondly highlighting the current treatment methods and their limitation and finally analyze recent experimental strategies that promotes tear film regeneration including stem cell-based therapies, tissue engineering of the lacrimal gland, neurotrophic factor supplementation, gene therapy, and biomaterial-assisted delivery systems.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Regenerative approaches for tear film disorders are evolving from symptomatic management toward restoration of functional tissue. Although most strategies remain in preclinical or early translational stages, advances in stem cell biology, biomaterials, secretome research, and tissue engineering provide a promising foundation for future therapies targeting the lacrimal functional unit and long-term tear film homeostasis. By summarizing current findings and identifying research gaps, this review can highlight promising approaches for translational research and potential clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1141-1156"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148374860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Eye ResearchPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2025.2592226
Timon Ax, Francesc March de Ribot, Fabian N Fries, Tomas L Bothe, Slade O Jensen, Thomas J Millar, Berthold Seitz
{"title":"Lifting the Lid on Tear Film Dynamics: Tear Film Movement Upon Vertical Gaze Change.","authors":"Timon Ax, Francesc March de Ribot, Fabian N Fries, Tomas L Bothe, Slade O Jensen, Thomas J Millar, Berthold Seitz","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2592226","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2592226","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>When examining the ocular surface, patients are required to look straight ahead and the effects of vertical eye movement on tear film behavior are not considered despite it being natural and common to change gaze without blinking. This exposes parts of the bulbar conjunctiva previously covered by the eyelids and therefore not covered by the tear film during the preceding blink. This study investigates how the tear film behaves when presented with newly exposed areas of ocular surface due to vertical eye movements.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The tear film dynamics of a sequence of vertical open-eye gaze maneuvers (upgaze-downgaze) were studied in 15 participants with no ocular surface related complaints (OSDI <13) using the TearView infrared camera system. TearView detects the tear film based on natural infrared radiation emitted from the ocular surface. Interferometry was used to examine lipid layer behavior. In a subgroup (<i>n</i> = 3), eyelids were mechanically lifted using a finger to reveal bulbar conjunctiva.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Vertical eye movements exposed bulbar conjunctiva not covered by the tear film during the preceding blink. The fully formed tear film reacted by spreading toward the newly uncovered ocular surface area, thereby recoating it. This also occurred when the eyelids were mechanically lifted to reveal ocular surface previously beneath the eyelids. No apparent flow occurred from the menisci onto the ocular surface.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The fully formed tear film is isolated from the meniscal tear and meibum reservoirs (a completely perched tear film). This tear film spontaneously spreads to cover ocular surface area that is newly exposed during vertical eye movements.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1157-1165"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145905820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microscopy and Spectroscopy Techniques for Tear Fluid Diagnostics.","authors":"Adriána Rašiová, Vladimíra Tomečková, Marlies Gijs","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2627373","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2627373","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Tear fluid represents a minimally invasive and accessible source for biomarker discovery in both ocular and systemic diseases. This mini review aims to summarize and critically evaluate current microscopy and spectroscopy techniques applied to tear fluid analysis and their relevance for disease detection and monitoring.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A focused review was conducted on advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques used in tear fluid research. The methodologies discussed include atomic force microscopy, polarized light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and fluorescence techniques. These approaches were examined for their ability to characterize tear fluid morphology, molecular composition, and biochemical alterations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The reviewed techniques enable high-resolution morphological imaging, detailed protein secondary structure analysis, and sensitive detection of lipid and glycoprotein alterations in tear fluid. Multiple studies have demonstrated disease-specific changes detectable by these methods in conditions such as dry eye disease, keratoconus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and depressive disorder. The findings highlight the versatility and diagnostic potential of microscopy and spectroscopy in identifying subtle biochemical and structural changes associated with disease states.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Microscopy and spectroscopy techniques offer powerful tools for advancing tear fluid diagnostics. However, challenges remain in standardizing sampling protocols and analysis methods. These are key for ensuring reproducibility and clinical applicability. Addressing these challenges will be important to unlock the full diagnostic potential of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques for tear fluid analysis in medical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1186-1198"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146200485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Eye ResearchPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-05-16DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2026.2660819
Marlies Gijs, Amalia Enríquez-de-Salamanca, Suzanne Hagan, Andrzej Grzybowski, Piera Versura
{"title":"Recent Developments in Tear Fluid Biomarkers: An Expert Perspective on Clinical Translation.","authors":"Marlies Gijs, Amalia Enríquez-de-Salamanca, Suzanne Hagan, Andrzej Grzybowski, Piera Versura","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2660819","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2660819","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Tear fluid biomarker research is rapidly growing in both ocular and non-ocular diseases, with biomarker-based tests gradually transitioning into clinical applications. As this progress continues, translation into routine practice remains limited. This perspective aims to summarize key advances with direct clinical relevance and identify the major barriers that must be overcome for widespread adoption.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This perspective is based on the authors' multidisciplinary expertise combined with a focused review of the current literature on tear fluid biomarkers and point-of-care applications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Several substances identified in tear fluid have been considered as potential biomarkers. As a result, specific point-of-care tests have reached the market, with several more close to clinical development. While these tests offer objective and quantifiable values, significant challenges persist, including suboptimal sensitivity and specificity, lack of standardized collection and analysis protocols, absence of validated reference ranges and diagnostic thresholds, regulatory and reimbursement barriers, and limited clinical awareness. Importantly, most current applications remain focused on diagnosis, while unmet clinical needs such as prognostication, therapy guidance, and longitudinal monitoring remain underexplored.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To achieve meaningful clinical integration, research must progress from discovery to standardization, validation, and alignment with real-world needs. Addressing these challenges is essential to incorporate the analysis of tear fluid biomarkers into routine care and advance precision diagnostics and personalized therapy in ophthalmology and related fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1228-1236"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147959962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Dry Eye Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Moumi Maity, Marlies Gijs, Reiko Arita, Sayan Basu, Swati Singh","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2629429","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2629429","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The current meta-analysis reviewed the dry eye symptomatology and tear film differences between PCOS and healthy women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched for prospective/cross-sectional studies on patients with PCOS where at least one tear film parameter or dry eye symptomatology had been tested and compared with healthy controls. The analyzed data were changes in ocular surface disease index scores (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer values, and Meibography. RevMan software was used for meta-analysis, and weighted mean differences (MD) were computed along with GRADE evidence level determination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirteen articles were included, and PCOS (<i>n</i> = 639) was diagnosed using the Amsterdam (<i>n</i> = 2) or Rotterdam (<i>n</i> = 11) criteria. Studies were heterogeneous (I<sup>2</sup> > 75%) for all analyzed parameters. OSDI (MD 7.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 13.6, <i>p</i> = 0.02) and invasive TBUT (MD -3.1s, 95% CI -4.7 to -1.6, <i>p</i> < 0.0001) were worse in PCOS whereas Schirmer I (MD -1.8, 95% CI -4.5 to 0.5, <i>p</i> = 0.12) and noninvasive TBUT (MD -2.1, 95% CI -4.2 to -0.03, <i>p</i> = 0.05) were similar between PCOS and healthy controls. Forest plots revealed an overall MD estimate of all parameters to lie close to the null effect line. All studies had a low level of certainty regarding evidence.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Women with PCOS can experience mild dry eye symptoms; however, tear volume and tear film stability are similar in women with PCOS and those without the condition. In most studies, tear film parameters of PCOS women do not meet DEWS II criteria for DED diagnosis, though they are heterogeneous and have low levels of certainty.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1245-1252"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146225773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Eye ResearchPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2025.2596213
Mazyar Yazdani, Katja Benedikte Prestø Elgstøen, Tor Paaske Utheim
{"title":"Schirmer Strips in Tear Metabolomics of Dry Eye Disease: Pre-analytical and Analytical Considerations.","authors":"Mazyar Yazdani, Katja Benedikte Prestø Elgstøen, Tor Paaske Utheim","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2596213","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2025.2596213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular surface condition characterized by tear film instability and inflammation, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. While the Schirmer test remains a key diagnostic tool, Schirmer strips are increasingly used for tear fluid collection in metabolomics studies aimed at, e.g. identifying biomarkers for DED. However, both pre-analytical and analytical variables inherent to Schirmer strip use can compromise data integrity and hamper reproducibility.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For this review, the PubMed database and Google Scholar were searched for published human studies in English relevant to pre-analytical and analytical aspects of tear metabolomics, especially from dry eye patients, when tear samples were collected with Schirmer strips.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This article discusses the critical pre-analytical factors, including variability in Schirmer strip materials, tear sampling techniques, storage conditions, and potential contamination, that influence metabolomic data quality. Analytical considerations are also examined, with particular focus on volume-adjusted extraction protocols that address tear volume variability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We conclude that standardized guidelines for Schirmer strip use, covering material selection, sampling protocols, storage, and extraction, are urgently needed to advance tear metabolomics as a reliable clinical and research tool. Future research should focus on validating these recommendations in multi-center studies, exploring inter-individual variability, and developing innovative analytical workflows to optimize metabolite recovery and quantification. Such efforts will enhance the translational potential of tear metabolomics, paving the way for biomarker discovery and improved management of DED.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1166-1173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145667399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}