Raman spectroscopy assisted tear analysis: A label free, optical approach for noninvasive disease diagnostics

Exp Eye Res. 2024 Apr 26:109913. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109913. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIn recent times, tear fluid analysis has garnered considerable attention in the field of biomarker- based diagnostics due to its noninvasive sample collection method. Tears encompass a reservoir of biomarkers that assist in diagnosing not only ocular disorders but also a diverse list of systemic diseases. This highlights the necessity for sensitive and dependable screening methods to employ tear fluid as a potential noninvasive diagnostic specimen in clinical environments. Considerable research has been conducted to investigate the potential of Raman spectroscopy-based investigations for tear analysis in various diagnostic applications. Raman Spectroscopy (RS) is a highly sensitive and label free spectroscopic technique which aids in investigating the molecular structure of samples by evaluating the vibrational frequencies of molecular bonds. Due to the distinct chemical compositions of different samples, it is possible to obtain a sample-specific spectral fingerprint. The distinctive spectral fingerprints obtained from Raman spectroscopy enable researchers to identify specific compounds or functional groups present in a sample, aiding in diverse biomedical applications. Its sensitivity to changes in molecular structure or environment provides invaluable insights into subtle alterations associated with various diseases. Thus, Raman Spectroscopy has the potential to assist in diagno...
Source: Experimental Eye Research - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Source Type: research