Proteomic and Metabolomic Lacrimal Fingerprint in Diverse Pathologies of the Ocular Surface

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims to obtain the lacrimal fingerprint for frequent pathologies of the ocular surface and establish a normative base for each of them.

Detailed Description
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This is an exploratory study. The investigators aim to: Test and perfect a tear sample analysis technique by mass spectrometry with samples collected by Schirmer strips; Obtain the lacrimal fingerprint for various pathologies of the ocular surface, notably different forms of dry eye syndrome, infectious keratitis/conjunctivitis, mucous membrane pemphigoid and allergic conjunctivitis, and establish a normative base for each of them. During regular clinics at the cornea service of the ophthalmology department of the CHUM (Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal), the investigators aim to recruit a few hundred patients with various pathologies of the ocular surface, notably different forms of dry eye syndrome, infectious keratitis/conjunctivitis, mucous membrane pemphigoid and allergic conjunctivitis, and collect a sample of their tears via Schirmer strip. A case report form will be completed for each patient, noting known ocular diagnoses and active topical ophthalmic medication. Schirmer strips will be sent in sterile tubes to UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal)'s department of chemistry for analysis by mass spectrometry.

Official Title
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Proteomic and Metabolomic Lacrimal Fingerprint in Diverse Pathologies of the Ocular Surface

Conditions
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Dry Eye Syndrome, Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis, Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid, Allergic Conjunctivitis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Tear sample collection via Schirmer strip and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients with healthy corneas or suffering from one of these pathologies: Dry eye syndrome; Infectious keratitis and/or conjunctivitis; Mucous membrane pemphigoid; Allergic conjunctivitis. Exclusion Criteria: Patients younger than 18 years old; Patients incapable of giving informed consent.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Control group<br>Healthy, normal ocular surface | Diagnostic Test: Tear sample collection via Schirmer strip and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry<br>* During regular consultations at the ophthalmology department of the CHUM, eligible patients will undergo a standard 5 minute Schirmer tear test. The Schirmer strips will serve as tear samples and will be sent to UQAM's Department of chemistry for mass spectrometry analysis.<br>|
| Dry eye syndrome<br>Patients suffering from either: Lacrimal insufficiency Anterior blepharitis Posterior blepharitis Sjögren syndrome | Diagnostic Test: Tear sample collection via Schirmer strip and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry<br>* During regular consultations at the ophthalmology department of the CHUM, eligible patients will undergo a standard 5 minute Schirmer tear test. The Schirmer strips will serve as tear samples and will be sent to UQAM's Department of chemistry for mass spectrometry analysis.<br>|
| Allergic conjunctivitis<br>Patients suffering from allergic conjunctivitis | Diagnostic Test: Tear sample collection via Schirmer strip and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry<br>* During regular consultations at the ophthalmology department of the CHUM, eligible patients will undergo a standard 5 minute Schirmer tear test. The Schirmer strips will serve as tear samples and will be sent to UQAM's Department of chemistry for mass spectrometry analysis.<br>|
| Mucous membrane pemphigoid<br>Patients suffering from mucous membrane pemphigoid | Diagnostic Test: Tear sample collection via Schirmer strip and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry<br>* During regular consultations at the ophthalmology department of the CHUM, eligible patients will undergo a standard 5 minute Schirmer tear test. The Schirmer strips will serve as tear samples and will be sent to UQAM's Department of chemistry for mass spectrometry analysis.<br>|
| Infectious keratoconjunctivitis<br>Patients suffering from keratitis and/or conjunctivitis of various etiology: Viral Bacterial Fungal Acanthamoeba | Diagnostic Test: Tear sample collection via Schirmer strip and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry<br>* During regular consultations at the ophthalmology department of the CHUM, eligible patients will undergo a standard 5 minute Schirmer tear test. The Schirmer strips will serve as tear samples and will be sent to UQAM's Department of chemistry for mass spectrometry analysis.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To obtain the metabolomic and proteomic fingerprint of the studied ocular surface pathologies | Raw data will be analysed with MarkerView software by Sciex to identify specific over- or under-expressed markers in these ocular pathologies. | 5 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To objectify changes in metabolomic and proteomic profile associated with topical treatments taken by participants in this study | Raw data will be analysed with the same software to identify specific changes in proteomic and/or metabolomic expression associated with the topical treatments taken by participants in this study. | 5 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Proteomics, Ocular surface, Lacrimal fingerprint, Metabolomics