Recent Developments in Tear Fluid Biomarkers: An Expert Perspective on Clinical Translation

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomarker Discovery
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Background:

• Tear fluid biomarker research is expanding for both ocular and non-ocular diseases.
• Biomarker-based tests are transitioning towards clinical use, yet widespread adoption is hindered.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize key advances in tear fluid biomarker research with clinical relevance.
• To identify major barriers impeding the widespread adoption of tear fluid biomarker tests.

Main Methods:

• Multidisciplinary expertise of the authors.
• Focused review of current literature on tear fluid biomarkers and point-of-care applications.

Main Results:

• Several tear fluid substances show potential as biomarkers, with some point-of-care tests available or in development.
• Persistent challenges include suboptimal test performance, lack of standardization, regulatory hurdles, and limited clinical awareness.
• Current applications primarily focus on diagnosis, with prognostication and therapy guidance underexplored.

Conclusions:

• Clinical integration requires progression from discovery to standardization, validation, and addressing real-world needs.
• Overcoming these challenges is vital for routine use of tear fluid biomarkers in ophthalmology and related fields.
• This will advance precision diagnostics and personalized therapy.