Comparison of Mucin Levels at the Ocular Surface of Visual Display Users With and Without Dry Eye Disease

Comparison of Mucin Levels at the Ocular Surface of Visual Display Users With and Without Dry Eye Disease

The study aimed to evaluate 1) if levels of the glycocalyx membrane mucins, including MUC1, MUC4, MUC16 and MUC20, are altered in conjunctival cells of visual display users With and Without Dry Eye Disease, and 2) if mucin levels correlate with dry eye clinical diagnostic data.

The cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate 1) if levels of the glycocalyx membrane mucins, including MUC1, MUC4, MUC16 and MUC20, are altered in conjunctival cells of visual display users With and Without Dry Eye Disease, and 2) if mucin levels correlate with dry eye clinical diagnostic data.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants who exposed to video display terminals for more than 1 year (at least 5 days per week and 6 hours per day) were enrolled and divided into two groups: (1) VDT users with DED and (2) VDT users without DED. DED was diagnosed according to the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) DEWS II criteria: (1) Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score ≥ 13 and (2) one of these signs; fluorescein tear breakup time (TBUT) <10 sec; abnormal ocular surface staining (>5 corneal spots or > 9 conjunctival spots).

Exclusion Criteria:

• a history of contact lens wear or ocular surgery within 2 year of the study visit; a history of previous ocular disease; topical or systemic therapies other than artificial tears within two weeks before recruitment; and inflammatory ocular diseases, ocular surface diseases, glaucoma and systemic diseases with ocular involvement, such as meibomian gland dysfunction, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy.