
303Automatization of Dry Eye Syndrome Tests
16.4.3 Laboratory Tests
The composition of proteins in tears plays an important role in ocular surface diseases.
Several studies have demonstrated changes in the tear protein patterns of dry eye
patients compared with controls, so proteins are useful dry eye biomarkers. The most
used biomarkers are lysozyme and lactoferrin [4]. Around 20%–30% of the total tear
protein is made up of lysozyme, the most alkaline protein in the tears. Lysozyme levels
decrease with dry eye, so their estimation could be useful in DES diagnosis. Although
this test is reliable, it is expensive and cumbersome [8]. The lactopla ...