Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbiome of the Eye

Microbiome of the Eye

The human eye has a specialized microbiota that reflects its unique anatomical and immunological environment. This low-biomass microbial community predominantly colonizes the conjunctiva and eyelid margins, playing a vital role in ocular surface homeostasis and defense. Despite its proximity to the richly colonized facial skin, the ocular surface maintains a distinct microbial profile due to continuous mechanical and biochemical defense mechanisms.The conjunctival surface hosts fewer microbial...

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

Ophthalmic drug delivery faces major limitations due to poor absorption across the corneal membrane. This process is primarily driven by diffusion and is influenced by two main factors: the physicochemical properties of the drug and tear drainage. Most ophthalmic drugs, such as pilocarpine, epinephrine, atropine, and local anesthetics, are weak bases. They are typically formulated at an acidic pH to enhance chemical stability. However, this leads to high ionization, reducing their ability to...

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...

Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure of Solutions

Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure of Solutions

A number of natural and synthetic materials exhibit selective permeation, meaning that only molecules or ions of a certain size, shape, polarity, charge, and so forth, are capable of passing through (permeating) the material. Biological cell membranes provide elegant examples of selective permeation in nature, while dialysis tubing used to remove metabolic wastes from blood is a more simplistic technological example. Regardless of how they may be fabricated, these materials are generally...

Accessory Structures of the Eye

Accessory Structures of the Eye

Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Osmolarity

Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Osmolarity

Osmolarity is the measure of solute concentration in a solution. It plays a critical role in determining water availability for organisms. Water moves across semipermeable membranes through osmosis, flowing from regions of lower solute concentration (more dilute) to regions of higher solute concentration (more concentrated).In high-solute environments, microbial cells lose water, leading to dehydration and inhibited growth. The extent to which water is available to microbes in such environments...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Corneal staining: Beyond the grade.

The ocular surface·2026

Same author

Radiometric and safety assessment of a 'low-level red-light' myopia control device.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2025

Same author

Eye growth and myopia progression following cessation of myopia control therapy with a dual-focus soft contact lens.

Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry·2025

Same author

Accommodative behaviour and retinal defocus in highly myopic eyes fitted with a dual focus myopia control contact lens.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·2024

Same author

The roles of neural adaptation and sensitization in contact lens discomfort.

The ocular surface·2024

Same author

Adipose-derived stem cell exosomes loaded with icariin alleviates rheumatoid arthritis by modulating macrophage polarization in rats.

Journal of nanobiotechnology·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Establishment of A Mouse Model of Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye

Establishment of A Mouse Model of Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye

Published on: November 1, 2024

A link between tear instability and hyperosmolarity in dry eye.

Haixia Liu¹, Carolyn Begley, Minhua Chen

¹Indiana University School of Optometry, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

|March 28, 2009

Summary

Tear instability causes discomfort and burning sensations, similar to hyperosmolar eye drops. This suggests transient hyperosmolarity during tear instability may trigger corneal inflammation and irritation in dry eye disease.

More Related Videos

Effect of Artificial Tear Formulations on the Metabolic Activity of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Desiccation

Effect of Artificial Tear Formulations on the Metabolic Activity of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Desiccation

Published on: May 2, 2020

Nasolacrimal Lavage as a Treatment for Ocular Surface Toxic Soup Syndrome

Nasolacrimal Lavage as a Treatment for Ocular Surface Toxic Soup Syndrome

Published on: April 25, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Establishment of A Mouse Model of Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye

Establishment of A Mouse Model of Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye

Published on: November 1, 2024

Effect of Artificial Tear Formulations on the Metabolic Activity of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Desiccation

Effect of Artificial Tear Formulations on the Metabolic Activity of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Desiccation

Published on: May 2, 2020

Nasolacrimal Lavage as a Treatment for Ocular Surface Toxic Soup Syndrome

Nasolacrimal Lavage as a Treatment for Ocular Surface Toxic Soup Syndrome

Published on: April 25, 2025

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Cell Biology
Physiology

Background:

Dry eye disease is linked to tear film instability and hyperosmolarity.
These factors may cause chronic ocular irritation and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

To find indirect evidence of short-term hyperosmolar conditions during tear instability.
To investigate corneal epithelial response to transient hyperosmolar stress.

Main Methods:

Human subjects reported discomfort during prolonged eye opening and after instilling hyperosmolar drops.
Bovine corneal epithelial cells were exposed to hyperosmolar stress.
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were measured via Western blot.

Main Results:

Tear instability caused significant discomfort and sensations of burning/stinging.
Hyperosmolar solutions (450-460 mOsM/kg) induced similar sensations.
MAPK activation occurred at 600 mOsM/kg transient hyperosmolar stress.

Conclusions:

Hyperosmolarity is linked to tear instability, suggesting transient spikes.
These hyperosmolar spikes may cause corneal inflammation.
This process could trigger sensory neurons, leading to dry eye symptoms.