Tear Film miRNAs and Their Association With Human Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: miRNAs can regulate inflammatory pathways. The purpose of this work was to determine if inflammatory-related tear film miRNAs are associated with extracellular vesicles (EVs) in human non-Sjögren's Syndrome dry eye disease (DED) participants.

Methods: Five DED and 5 non-DED human participants were recruited.

Enhanced closed eye neutrophil degranulation in dry eye disease.

Purpose: Closed eye neutrophils have demonstrated increased prevalence in dry eye disease, but the phenotype and extent of activation of these cells has yet to be described.

Methods: 12 normal subjects and 12 subjects with dry eye disease were recruited and trained for self-collection of closed eye leukocytes, immediately upon awakening. Tear leukocytes were isolated and peripheral blood was collected, and stained with a panel of fluorescently-labeled antibodies to determine the activation phenotype of neutrophils.

The closed eye harbours a unique microbiome in dry eye disease.

Dry eye affects millions of individuals. In experimental models, dry eye disease is associated with T helper cell 17-mediated inflammation of the ocular surface that may cause persistent damage to the corneal epithelium. However, the initiating and perpetuating factors associated with chronic inflammation of the ocular surface remain unclear.

Identification of Leukocytes Associated With Midday Fogging in the Post-Lens Tear Film of Scleral Contact Lens Wearers.

Purpose: Midday fogging is a frequent complaint among scleral contact lens (ScCL) wearers, and the mechanism and cause of this is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to understand the relation between midday fogging, ocular surface leukocytes, and ScCL fitting characteristics.

Methods: Subjects arrived at a clinical exam having worn ScCLs for at least 4 hours.

Leukocyte Distribution in the Open Eye Tears of Normal and Dry Eye Subjects.

Purpose: Leukocytes accumulate in the eye with sleep, but little is known about the presence or absence of leukocytes in awake, open eye tears. This study sought to compare normal and dry eye subjects for daily variation in open eye leukocyte composition.

Materials And Methods: Ten normal subjects and nine dry eye subjects were enrolled.

Neutrophil and T-Cell Homeostasis in the Closed Eye.

Purpose: This study sought to examine the changes and phenotype of the tear neutrophil and T-cell populations between early eyelid closure and after a full night of sleep.

Methods: Fourteen healthy participants were recruited and trained to wash the ocular surface with PBS for at-home self-collection of ocular surface and tear leukocytes following up to 1 hour of sleep and a full night of sleep (average 7 hours), on separate days. Cells were isolated, counted, and incubated with fluorescently labeled antibodies to identify neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells.

Development of a curved, stratified, in vitro model to assess ocular biocompatibility.

Purpose: To further improve in vitro models of the cornea, this study focused on the creation of a three-dimensional, stratified, curved epithelium; and the subsequent characterization and evaluation of its suitability as a model for biocompatibility testing.

Methods: Immortalized human corneal epithelial cells were grown to confluency on curved cellulose filters for seven days, and were then differentiated and stratified using an air-liquid interface for seven days before testing. Varying concentrations of a commercial ophthalmic solution containing benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a known cytotoxic agent, and two relevant ocular surfactants were tested on the model.