Pro-inflammatory mediators and Dry Eye Disease in people with diabetes

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    To determine the profile of tear fluid protein levels of ocular surface inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes with and without Dry Eye Disease

  • IRAS ID

    236229

  • Contact name

    Suzanne Hagan

  • Contact email

    suzanne.hagan@gcu.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Glasgow Caledonian University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 7 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    It is well-known that diabetes is one of major causes of DED, however the pathogenesis underpinning Diabetes-associated Dry Eye Disease (DED) is still unclear. We anticipate that this study will indicate which tear fluid protein profiles are linked to diabetes-associated DED, and these may serve as future diagnostic markers of ocular surface disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Moreover, the study will help to better understanding of the development of the ocular surface inflammation or DED in people with T2D.
    The present study is a part of PhD studentship and will last for 31 months from October 2018 in the Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital Ayr.
    The study will be conducted by Dr Mungunshur Byambajav who will undergo appropriate training in the tear sampling procedures. Potential participants will be identified by Prof Andrew Collier and Dr Zac Koshy from university database. Control participants will be recruited from hospital staff and patient relatives.
    In this study, 2 short questionnaires will be used to detect the severity and impact of DED on patient Quality of Life (QoL). Moreover, dry eye status of the participants will be detected using simple ocular tests: Fluorestein Tear Break Up Time (fTBUT) and the Schirmer test. Ocular surface integrity will be assessed by fluorescein corneal/conjunctival staining. In addition, small volumes (1ul) of tear samples will be retrieved from all participants. Only one eye (test eye) will be used for all observations of the study.

  • REC name

    South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/SC/0509

  • Date of REC Opinion

    7 Sep 2018

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion