Report of the National Eye Institute/Industry
Workshop on Clinical Trials in Dry Eyes

Chairman: Michael A. Lemp, MD

Report of the Clinical Study Group

_________________Major Classification of Dry Eye_________________

   Tear-deficient dry eye:

• "This category requires the demonstration of defective lacrimal function...by showing reduced aqueous tear volume...or reduced secretion of lacrimal proteins, such as...lactoferrin."
  
  
• "It has been suggested that deficiency of lacrimal protein may be the earliest sign of aqueous-deficient dry eye."
  
  
• "Tear protein assays may become one of the most important tools available to diagnose and define the different etiologies of dry eye.  The future of diagnostic tests may be in tear protein abnormalities found in dry eye states."
  
  
• "The [Touch Scientific lactoferrin] test is suitable for office use...and has demonstrated a high correlation...with...dry eye subjects.  It is a rapid test that is easily performed in a clinician's office with minimal training."

THE CLAO JOURNAL   ¤   VOLUME 21, NUMBER 4, PAGES 221-232   ¤   OCTOBER 1995