Modeling and Restoring the Tear Film

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the major factors currently implicated in the pathogenesis of tear film related ocular disorders, including dysfunctional adhesions, inflammatory factors, and insufficient lubrication by ocular surface mucins, and highlights the potential of in vitro models to propel more effective treatments into the clinic while improving fundamental understanding of ocular surface biology.Recent FindingsThe cornea and conjunctiva form a continuous ocular surface that shields the visual system from environmental threats. Because of its precise composition and organization, the ocular surface also refracts and focuses light rays, enabling clear vision. In many ocular surface diseases such as dry eye, tear film homeostasis is disrupted, causing inflammation, dryness, and epithelial damage. These friction-driven phenomena result in negative feedback loops in the eye that cause significant discomfort and compromise visual acuity over time.SummaryDespite the prevalence of lubrication-related eye disorders, much remains unknown about disease initiation and progression, a knowledge gap reflected in the limited treatment options currently available. As novel therapeutics are developed to treat these conditions, scalable, cost-effective model systems that sufficiently recapitulate the complexities of the native ocular surface are needed to streamline drug screening and clinical translation.
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research