Tear lysozyme and lactoferrin levels in giant papillary conjunctivitis and vernal conjunctivitis

We measured tear lysozyme by a radial immunodiffusion assay in patients with contact lens induced giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) and in patients with vernal conjunctivitis (VC). The VC and GPC patients had normal levels of tear lysozyme when compared to control individuals who did not have eye disease and to normal individuals who wore contact lenses without difficulty. In contrast, the tear concentration of lactoferrin (another important tear protein produced by the lacrimal glands) was reduced both in VC and GPC patients. Normal levels of tear lysozyme in the presence of reduced tear concentrations of lactoferrin may be a unique pattern in these two ocular conditions. The reduced tear levels of lactoferrin are probably not related to lacrimal gland dysfunction but to other factor(s) important in the pathogenesis of these two ocular disorders.