Abstract
Background: Dry eye is a common ophthalmic problem and lactoferrin (LF) is one of the most important components of the immune system. Preliminary findings have suggested that LF concentration in tears may be linked to the risk of dry eye.
Objective: We investigated the relationship between dry eye and lactoferrin levels in tears.
Material and methods: LF levels in the tears of 40 patients with dry eye and 35 healthy controls were measured by radial immunodiffusion assay. Statistical analysis was used to study the correlation between LF levels and results of both Schirmer’s and tear film break-up time tests and the age of the subject.
Results: The concentration of LF was significantly decreased in the tears of dry eye subjects compared with control subjects (P<0.001). There is a positive relationship between LF in tears and results from Schirmer’s and tear film break-up time tests in non-Sj⃞gren’s syndrome (r=0.48 and 0.78 respectively P<0.001), while there is a negative relationship between LF and age (r= -0.74, P<0.005).
Conclusions: Decreased LF in tears is a factor in the pathology of dry eye. When treating non-Sj⃞gren’s syndrome, treatment with LF could be added to artificial tear treatment.