Actively Recruiting
Association Between Limbal Function and Tear Proteomics in Chronic Ocular Diseases: Focusing on Glaucoma
Led by National Taiwan University Hospital · Updated on 2025-08-13
90
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
73 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Background Intact corneal epithelium is important for the defense on the ocular surface, and the function of limbal stem cells is crucial to maintain its integrity. Certain chronic eye diseases, such as glaucoma, require long-term medication use. However, glaucoma patients often exhibit corneal punctate erosions and ocular surface inflammation. In cases where medication has been used for an extended period, patients may even show symptoms similar to limbal stem cell deficiency. Understanding how glaucoma medications affect the function of corneal limbal stem cells is a critical clinical issue. Objectives To evaluate the effect of glaucoma and anti-glaucoma agents on corneal epithelial and limbal epithelial thickness as a surrogate of limbal stem cell function, and to understand the association between tear fluid proteome and limbal function in glaucoma patients. Methods We planned to include 90 subjects with glaucoma, and analyze the absolute thickness and variation of corneal epithelium and limbal epithelium. Tear fluid samples will be collected and proteomic analysis will be performed to elucidate the association between protein. Anticipated Results To elucidate the impact of different types and cumulative doses of glaucoma medications on the thickness of the corneal epithelium and limbal epithelium, and to understand the relationship between limbal function and tear proteomics in glaucoma patients. The expected results may help develop early detection methods for changes in corneal and limbal epithelial function and provide valuable insights for future research on drug design and the protection of limbal stem cells.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Association Between Limbal Function and Tear Proteomics in Chronic Ocular Diseases: Focusing on Glaucoma
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 years or older
- Healthy control participants with no diagnosis of glaucoma or ocular hypertension
- Participants newly diagnosed with angle-closure glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, or ocular hypertension using anti-glaucoma medication for less than 3 months
- Participants with long-term use of intraocular pressure-lowering medications for more than 1 year for angle-closure glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, or ocular hypertension
- Participants diagnosed with unilateral glaucoma or ocular hypertension with only one eye receiving intraocular pressure-lowering treatment
You will not qualify if you...
- History of severe ocular trauma, chemical burns, corneal ulcers, Stevens-Johnson syndrome with eye involvement, or ocular graft-versus-host disease
- History of corneal surgery, conjunctival surgery, trabeculectomy, or glaucoma drainage device implantation
- Presence of ocular surface irregularity or limbal dysfunction caused by conditions other than glaucoma or dry eye disease
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
W
Wei-Lun Huang, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
4
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