Association Between Limbal Function and Tear Proteomics in Chronic Ocular Diseases: Focusing on Glaucoma
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorNational Taiwan University Hospital
About this trial
Background Intact corneal epithelium is important for the defense on the ocular surface, and the function of limbal stem cells is crucial to maintain its integrity. Certain chronic eye diseases, such as glaucoma, require long-term medication use. However, glaucoma patients often exhibit corneal punctate erosions and ocular surface inflammation. In cases where medication has been used for an extended period, patients may even show symptoms similar to limbal stem cell deficiency. Understanding how glaucoma medications affect the function of corneal limbal stem cells is a critical clinical issue.
Objectives To evaluate the effect of glaucoma and anti-glaucoma agents on corneal epithelial and limbal epithelial thickness as a surrogate of limbal stem cell function, and to understand the association between tear fluid proteome and limbal function in glaucoma patients.
Methods We planned to include 90 subjects with glaucoma, and analyze the absolute thickness and variation of corneal epithelium and limbal epithelium. Tear fluid samples will be collected and proteomic analysis will be performed to elucidate the association between protein.
Anticipated Results To elucidate the impact of different types and cumulative doses of glaucoma medications on the thickness of the corneal epithelium and limbal epithelium, and to understand the relationship between limbal function and tear proteomics in glaucoma patients. The expected results may help develop early detection methods for changes in corneal and limbal epithelial function and provide valuable insights for future research on drug design and the protection of limbal stem cells.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
None
Disqualifiers
None
Trial population
Glaucoma patients in outpatient clinic setting.
Trial design
Design model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Not listed
Trial groups
90 Participants
are grouped into 4 trial groupsGroup A: Healthy control
Group B: Glaucoma, newly diagnosed
Group C: Glaucoma, long-term medication use
Group D: Glaucoma, unilateral
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Limbal epithelial thickness
Limbal epithelial thickness obtained from AS-OCT
Time frame
Upon enrollment and at 6 months after enrollment (for newly diagnosed patients)Secondary outcomes
1
Corneal central epithelial thickness
Corneal epithelial thickness map obtained from AS-OCT
Time frame
Upon enrollment and at 6 months after enrollment (for newly diagnosed patients)2
Proteomic findings of tear samples
Proteomic findings of tear samples
Time frame
Upon enrollment and at 6 months after enrollment (for newly diagnosed patients)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov