MIN-YEN HSU2026-10-162026-10-162024-12-01Pure ID: 15056516Pure UUID: aac178a0-f993-4b4f-affe-ba9b4378674210.1038/s41598-024-65487-2https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85196627736https://scholars.csmu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/34096Identification of an early biomarker and effective testing device to differentiate dry eye disease secondary to autoimmune disease (Sjögren’s syndrome dry eye disease) from non-Sjögren’s dry eye disease are prerequisites for appropriate treatment. We aimed to demonstrate the capacity of a new photo-detection device to evaluate tear lactoferrin levels as a tool for differentiating systemic conditions associated with dry eye disease. Patients with non-Sjögren’s and Sjögren’s syndrome dry eye disease (n = 54 and n = 52, respectively) and controls (n = 11) were enrolled. All participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire. Tear collection was performed with Schirmer test, and tear break-up time was examined using a slit lamp. Tear lactoferrin was evaluated using our newly developed photo-detection device. The average lactoferrin concentration was significantly lower in samples from patients with non-Sjögren’s dry eye disease (0.337 ± 0.227 mg/mL, n = 54) and Sjögren’s syndrome dry eye disease (0.087 ± 0.010 mg/mL, n = 52) than in control samples (1.272 ± 0.54 mg/mL, n = 11) (p < 0.0001). Further, lactoferrin levels were lower in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome dry eye disease than in those with non-Sjögren’s dry eye disease (p < 0.001). Our cost-effective, antibody-free, highly sensitive photo-detection device for evaluating tear lactoferrin levels can assist ophthalmologists in differentiating different types of dry eye diseases.enjournal article