Effect of dry eye diseases on the level of Protein and Lipids in Tears of Postmenopausal Women.

Abstract

The study is aimed at investigating the effect of dry eye disease on the level of protein and lipids in tears of postmenopausal women. The study was carried out on 33 postmenopausal women with dry eye symptoms and 22 postmenopausal women that were asymptomatic. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire classified participants as being symptomatic or asymptomatic of dry eye. Tear stability and tear volume were assessed with Fluorescein Tear Break up Time (FBUT) and Schirmer’s test respectively. Tears were analysed for protein (total protein, albumin, and globulin) and lipid (cholesterol and triglycerides). The mean total protein for Dry Eye (DE) was higher than that for Non-dry eye (NDE). Albumin and globulin were also higher for the DE group when compared to the NDE group. These were however, not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in triglycerides and cholesterol between DE and NDE. There was no significant correlation between clinical signs (tear volume and tear breakup time) and total protein, albumin, globulin cholesterol and triglycerides in the NDE and DE eye groups. The study shows that proteins and lipids do not change in postmenopausal women irrespective of the presences of dry eye disease.