Effect of topical anesthesia on secretion of lysozyme and lysosomal enzymes in human tears

Unilateral topical anesthesia affected the secretion of human tear fluid and its concentrations of lysozyme and lysosomal enzymes. Results of a Schirmer's test with 0.4% oxybuprocaine showed that topical anesthesia reduced the mean test value by 47% and the secretion of protein, lysozyme, acid phosphatase, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase by 30%, 45%, 31%, and 33%, respectively. These results indicated that the paper strip induced reflex secretion from only the stimulated eye. The enzyme activity of lysozyme per fluid volume in tears from anesthetized eyes was as high as that from eyes without anesthesia, while acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase had higher activities. The amount of protein in the tear fluid was higher in anesthetized eyes than in unanesthetized eyes. Enzyme activity of lysozyme per protein of the tear fluid in the anesthetized eyes was lower than in the eyes without anesthesia, while acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase had higher activities per protein in the eyes with anesthesia. These findings disclosed that the concentrations of total protein, acid phosphatase, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase increased, while lysozyme value was constant when the tear secretion decreased.