Study of Limbal Stem Cell Function and Tear Proteins in People with Glaucoma and Related Eye Conditions

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how glaucoma and the medications used to treat it affect the thickness of the corneal and limbal epithelium, which reflects the health of limbal stem cells important for eye surface protection. This observational study focuses on glaucoma patients with various treatment durations and aims to understand the link between tear fluid proteins and limbal function. The goal is to provide insights for early detection and future drug development to protect limbal stem cells. Participants include healthy controls without glaucoma, newly diagnosed glaucoma patients using medication for less than 3 months, glaucoma patients on long-term medication for over a year, and patients with treatment in only one eye. The study will measure corneal and limbal epithelial thickness and analyze tear fluid proteomics at enrollment and again after 6 months for newly diagnosed patients. During the study, participants will undergo eye thickness measurements and tear sample collection at specified times. Researchers will review changes in limbal epithelial thickness primarily, along with corneal thickness and tear protein profiles, to evaluate limbal function. The study starts in July 2025 and is expected to continue until December 2026, providing valuable data on glaucoma medication effects and ocular surface health.

Association Between Limbal Function and Tear Proteomics in Chronic Ocular Diseases: Focusing on Glaucoma