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
Paul Dearie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Academic Research co-ordinator
Research summary
We believe dry eyes and eye pain in Sjogrens syndrome(SS) to be multi factorial in origin. SS is a systemic disorder characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth. Although believed to be an auto-immune disorder all the components of SS cannot be attributed to immune mechanism as biochemical and neural mechanisms also play a role in the genesis of dry eyes and dry mouth .
There is also a known association between dry eyes and rheumatoid arthritis, and like SS its mechanism is not fully understood. We believe that a significant part of these patients dry eyes symptoms are attributed by their medications many of which have known side effects of dry eyes. Secondly we are investigating the relationship of tear and plasma osmolality in this group of patients, as previous studies have suggested a strong correlation between tear osmolality and hydration status. Thirdly, we aim to investigate and establish the possible correlation between tear production and pain, through levels of opioid neurotransmitters of enkephalins and endorphins.
Data will be collected through interview and completion of pain score via the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear and venous blood sampling.
Results will hopefully be able to further establish a relationship between these variables, and make way for much larger studies that can eventually help improve therapeutic options for this group of patients.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1585
Date of REC Opinion
26 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion