Ocular Surface Immune Response in Dry Eye Disease

For Dry Eye Disease Participants

Inclusion criteria

• Age >18
• Ability to consent to study
• Symptoms of dry eye disease for at least 6 months, such foreign body sensation, burning, stinging, light sensitivity
• Positive vital dye staining of the cornea
• At least one of the following objective signs: (Schirmer I <10 mm at 5 minutes), decreased (<0.2 mm) tear meniscus, decreased tear breakup time (TBUT) of <10 seconds, positive vital dye staining of the conjunctiva

For Age-Match Controls

Inclusion criteria

• Between the ages of 18-89
• The ability to provide informed consent for study inclusion
• Clear, healthy cornea
• Normal tear meniscus (> 0.3 mm)

For Dry Eye Disease Participants

Exclusion criteria

• History of contact lens wear in the past 3 months
• History of ocular surgery in the past 6 months
• Active ocular allergies
• History of ocular infection in the past 3 months
• History of diabetes
• History of topical or systemic anti-inflammatory therapy in the past 1 month

For Age-Match Controls

Exclusion criteria

• History of ocular or eyelid surgery within the past 12 months
• History of herpetic or other infectious keratitis or other inflammatory eye disease
• History of any other acute ocular disease
• Current use of topical medications (not including artificial tears)
• Current use of contact lenses
• History of ocular carcinoma or any recent ocular topical chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• History of cancer elsewhere in the body which is currently under systemic chemotherapy
• Current glaucoma disease requiring use of glaucoma drops
• History of Diabetes mellitus
• Current diagnosis of dry eye disease