Investigating mechanisms of dry eyes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pilot study on the mechanisms of dry eyes: impact of general hydration status, systemic medications and general pain on tear production.
IRAS ID
129453
Contact name
Maureen Travers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
This is a study investigating other mechanisms that may be involved in causing dry eyes. Patients with sjogrens syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis often suffer from dry eyes that respond poorly to conventional treatment. Often, the appearance of the eyes on examination do not match the amount of pain and discomfort that the individual experiences. This leads us to investigate the other possible mechanisms that may play a role.
Our primary interest is in assessing whether the body hydration status could be correlated to tear concentration. Concentrated tears are known to cause damage on the cornea surface leading to pain, watering and discomfort. This group of patient have pre-existing conditions and take medication, many of which can affect hydration status of the body, and cause direct or indirect eye dryness.
We are also interested in other blood markers that may help us explain the constant pain, called enkephalins and beta-endorphins. These are small neurotransmitters within our body that help regulate our pain response. This group of patients suffer often from non-ocular pain, and are likely to have higher levels of these neurotransmitters, which are also known to inhibit tear production.
Other blood markers that we are interested in are called Substance P and Thrombospondin-1. These are also found in the blood, and research thus far has shown positive correlation for explaining dry eyes although only in animal studies. If their presence could be proven in dry eye sufferers, it would be invaluable in terms of making way for larger confirmatory studies.
This study plans to find a correlation between the various blood markers and the occurrence of dry eyes in this group of patients. The results would be able to make way for larger studies and eventually help improve therapeutic options in this group of patients.REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
15/WS/0012
Date of REC Opinion
13 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion