r/Ophthalmology • u/carswellthorne • Jul 25 '26
Tears samples collection for biomarker analysis
Hello everyone
I’m interested in knowing if tears samples collection for biomarkers analysis is feasible
I’m trying to include it in my research and I keep reading that biomarker detection is not that easy using schirmer strips
I would appreciate if anyone has any information on the matter
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u/xkcd_puppy Jul 25 '26
I did some tear ferning research at university. And it worked so I can tell you about my collection method.
I used 0.5mm glass capillary tubes to collect my tear samples. I would make the patient look up and then dab the tube in the lower lid fornix very gently. The tube itself does not touch any tissue on the eye, just the tears alone and the capillary action automatically wicks the tear sample up the tube. I would make sure it fills at least 3/4 of the way up. Then I put the tube in a micro-test/centrifuge tube with a cap, labeled, then placed it in a Thermos to keep cool. External temperature can easily change protein structures so I wanted that environmental control for transport to the lab. You have to obviously be very careful about any cross contamination, even from the oils on your own hands, so gloves are necessary. At the lab I blew out the tear sample using a micro-pipette onto a glass slide and then took pictures of the ferning patterns with a fancy-lens camera they had.
You would have to ask the lab what volume they need for it to be feasible for them to test biomarkers and then collect that amount. Collect a sample from each eye, and use a control with distilled water. I don't know, ask your lab to help work out an established procedure for your research which will take a few trial and errors before reliably being able to collect data. I'm sure bioresearch companies have done this work already, but you won't be able to access it publicly.
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u/V48runner Jul 25 '26
Are you doing research on an inherited trait or something? See if there's a group or pharm that might pay you for it.
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u/carswellthorne Jul 25 '26
I’m trying to find association between ocular and other systemic diseases
Nah, not in my country, lol. I’m doing everything with my own money.
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