fbpx

Key Tear Film Lipid Identified

In a finding that could signal improved treatments for dry eye, Australian identified, and then synthesized in the lab, an important component of the tear film lipid layer.

While long-chain lipids make only a small portion (around 5%) of the total tear film lipid layer, they are essential for maintaining the ocular clarity of the tear film. Without the presence of these lipids, says said Stephen Blanksby, a professor at the Queensland University of Technology who led the research team in this study, “This clearly wouldn’t be satisfactory for you to look through.”

The exact structure of the lipids, known as (O-acyl)-ω-hydroxy fatty acids, was determined through mass spectrometry, because of the difficulties in obtaining large enough samples from the meibum to run other types of analysis such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Chemist Michael J. Kelso’s group at the University of Wollongong in Australia was able to synthesize the lipid once the exact structure was determined.

The research team is currently working with Allergan, who co-funded the research, to incorporate the newly synthesized lipid into dry eye drops. “This type of work provides a framework to produce a product that mimics, and is based on, the actual components that are present in human tears,” said Blanksby. By creating dry eye drops that more closely mimic a real tear film, Blanksby hopes to alleviate the negative side effects of drops.

Featured Posts

Eye On the Industry podcast EOTI

Eye on the Industry Podcast Episode 2 Kicks Off with Laughter, Leadership—and a Sharp Focus on Children’s Vision

Episode 2 of the Eye on the Industry podcast dives into children’s vision care with guest Robert Dalton, spotlighting access, policy, and the call for a national strategy—with heart and humour.

Learn More
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Centennial Champion Look03

New for Spring –Champion Women’s Collection

Perfect for those looking to refresh their look for Spring, without compromising style, comfort and value.

Read more
5th World congress Optometry's Meeting 2025

Countdown Begins: Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) Conference Launches in Two Weeks

The 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) begins June 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. Hosted with AOA and AOSA, WCO5 offers 300+ CE hours, global networking, and industry-led innovation.

Read more
CSI Dry eye software

Version 6.0 Is Live: Introducing the New CSI Dry Eye Software Experience

CSI Dry Eye Software releases Version 6.0 featuring an intuitive dashboard, automated follow-ups, customizable reports, and enhanced patient engagement—designed with input from clinicians.

Read more
ClearVision logo

ClearVision Optical Fundraises and Celebrates its Legacy and Values at Founder’s Day

ClearVision Optical celebrated Founder’s Day with a creative Makers Fair and fundraiser supporting the Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship at SUNY Optometry.

Read more
Eye On the Industry podcast EOTI

Eye on the Industry Podcast Episode 2 Kicks Off with Laughter, Leadership—and a Sharp Focus on Children’s Vision

Episode 2 of the Eye on the Industry podcast dives into children’s vision care with guest Robert Dalton, spotlighting access, policy, and the call for a national strategy—with heart and humour.

Learn More
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Centennial Champion Look03

New for Spring –Champion Women’s Collection

Perfect for those looking to refresh their look for Spring, without compromising style, comfort and value.

Read More
5th World congress Optometry's Meeting 2025

Countdown Begins: Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) Conference Launches in Two Weeks

The 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) begins June 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. Hosted with AOA and AOSA, WCO5 offers 300+ CE hours, global networking, and industry-led innovation.

Read More
CSI Dry eye software

Version 6.0 Is Live: Introducing the New CSI Dry Eye Software Experience

CSI Dry Eye Software releases Version 6.0 featuring an intuitive dashboard, automated follow-ups, customizable reports, and enhanced patient engagement—designed with input from clinicians.

Read More
ClearVision logo

ClearVision Optical Fundraises and Celebrates its Legacy and Values at Founder’s Day

ClearVision Optical celebrated Founder’s Day with a creative Makers Fair and fundraiser supporting the Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship at SUNY Optometry.

Read More
Eye On the Industry podcast EOTI

Eye on the Industry Podcast Episode 2 Kicks Off with Laughter, Leadership—and a Sharp Focus on Children’s Vision

Episode 2 of the Eye on the Industry podcast dives into children’s vision care with guest Robert Dalton, spotlighting access, policy, and the call for a national strategy—with heart and humour.

Learn More
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Centennial Champion Look03

New for Spring –Champion Women’s Collection

Perfect for those looking to refresh their look for Spring, without compromising style, comfort and value.

Read more
5th World congress Optometry's Meeting 2025

Countdown Begins: Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) Conference Launches in Two Weeks

The 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) begins June 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. Hosted with AOA and AOSA, WCO5 offers 300+ CE hours, global networking, and industry-led innovation.

Read more
CSI Dry eye software

Version 6.0 Is Live: Introducing the New CSI Dry Eye Software Experience

CSI Dry Eye Software releases Version 6.0 featuring an intuitive dashboard, automated follow-ups, customizable reports, and enhanced patient engagement—designed with input from clinicians.

Read more
ClearVision logo

ClearVision Optical Fundraises and Celebrates its Legacy and Values at Founder’s Day

ClearVision Optical celebrated Founder’s Day with a creative Makers Fair and fundraiser supporting the Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship at SUNY Optometry.

Read more
Eye On the Industry podcast EOTI

Eye on the Industry Podcast Episode 2 Kicks Off with Laughter, Leadership—and a Sharp Focus on Children’s Vision

Episode 2 of the Eye on the Industry podcast dives into children’s vision care with guest Robert Dalton, spotlighting access, policy, and the call for a national strategy—with heart and humour.

Learn More
Optik Voila May-June 2025 Centennial Champion Look03

New for Spring –Champion Women’s Collection

Perfect for those looking to refresh their look for Spring, without compromising style, comfort and value.

Read more
5th World congress Optometry's Meeting 2025

Countdown Begins: Optometry’s Meeting® | 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) Conference Launches in Two Weeks

The 5th World Congress of Optometry (WCO5) begins June 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. Hosted with AOA and AOSA, WCO5 offers 300+ CE hours, global networking, and industry-led innovation.

Read more
CSI Dry eye software

Version 6.0 Is Live: Introducing the New CSI Dry Eye Software Experience

CSI Dry Eye Software releases Version 6.0 featuring an intuitive dashboard, automated follow-ups, customizable reports, and enhanced patient engagement—designed with input from clinicians.

Read more
ClearVision logo

ClearVision Optical Fundraises and Celebrates its Legacy and Values at Founder’s Day

ClearVision Optical celebrated Founder’s Day with a creative Makers Fair and fundraiser supporting the Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship at SUNY Optometry.

Read more