CORRELATION BETWEEN UREA LEVELS IN LACRIMAL FLUID AND PATHO-PHYSIOLOGY OF DRY EYE SYNDROMES
Introduction : In the ocular surface there is a well- coordinated system of enzymes that can produce urea independent of external urea supply. Urea locally formed from ocular tissues is important for the composition of the tear fluid. In eyes with dry syndromes this production is affected. Estimation of urea levels in the lacrimal fluid may prompt a newer treatment for dry eyes utilising urea. This study was done to evaluate the correlation between serum urea levels and pathophysiology of dry eye syndromes. Materials and methods: A prospective, observational, single-centre study. 50 patients of dry eye disease were included in the subjects and 50 controls were included in the study based on schirmer’s test. Tear film urea was estimated wih semi autoanalyser erba chem 5. When sample volume was not sufficient it was diluted with sterile water and urea was estimated after calculating for dilution factor. Blood urea was estimated with Erba Chem EM 360 working on similar principle Results: In the test group, the urea level in tear film ranged from 14.01 mg % to 39 mg % with a mean of 26.78 +/- 5.70 mg %. In the controls the levels of urea in the tear film ranged from 21.06 mg% to 56.00 mg% with a mean of 41.72±6.86 mg%. Conclusions: Levels of urea in tear film in normal individuals without dry eyes is similar to urea levels in the blood. Tear film urea levels were significantly lower in patients with dry eye diagnosed with Schirmer’s Test. Decreased tear film urea level in dry eyes is unrelated to blood urea levels and may play a role in the pathophysiology of dry eyes. This needs further investigation.