The Concentration of Tear Lysozyme in Normal Subjects and Dry Eye

Kim, D K; Song, B R

Abstract

The compositional change of ocular tear film in dry eyes can induce the various ocular surface diseases. It is reported that the pathophysiology of dry eye is directly related to the dysfunction of lacrimal gland. To evaluate the relationship between main and accessory lacrimal gland dysfunction in dry eye, it is compared to the concentration of tear lysozyme between the basal and reflex tear secretion in normal subjects and dry eye patients. The tear was collected from 117 eyes in 117 normal subjects and 80 eyes in 80 dry eye patients. Their ages varied from 20 to 40. The mean concentration of tear lysozyme in basal and reflex tear of nor- mal subjects was 1.61 +/-0.24g/l and 3.99 +/-0.60g/l. And the mean concentration of tear lysozyme in basal and reflex tear of dry eye patients was 1.20 +/-0.27g/l and 1.90 +/-0.48g/l. The concentration of tear lysozyme in both basal and reflex tear secretion was statistically significant lower in the dry eye patients when compared to the normal subjects (P<0.05). Conclusively, it is suggested that the secretory dysfunction of lacrimal gland in dry eye patients is associated with the main and accessory lacrimal gland and is related to the central neurologic control of main lacrimal gland, especially.