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

Sponsor
National Taiwan University Hospital
Study ID
NCT07119580
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Glaucoma
  • Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency
  • Ocular Hypertension

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Study Details

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.

Key Dates

First listed
Aug 13, 2025
Start date
Jul 8, 2025
Status verified
Aug 2024
Primary completion
Jul 31, 2026
Completion
Dec 31, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
90 participants (estimated)

Arms

  • Arm: Healthy control
    Healthy control, without diagnosis of glaucoma.
  • Arm: Glaucoma, newly diagnosed
    Glaucoma patients who received topical antiglaucoma medications for less than 3 months.
  • Arm: Glaucoma, long-term medication use
    Glaucoma patients, received topical antiglaucoma medications for 1 year or longer.
  • Arm: Glaucoma, unilateral
    Patients with unilateral glaucoma or ocular hypertension and received treatment only in the diseased eye.

Primary Outcome Measure

Limbal epithelial thickness [ Time Frame: Upon enrollment and at 6 months after enrollment (for newly diagnosed patients) ]

Central Contacts

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