Authors:Liu Tong, Lin Xuemei, Wu Songdi
Corresponding author: Wu Songdi, Email:wusongdi@gmail.com
Published:2026-10-10
DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn115989-20240428-00118
ABSTRACT
Tear fluid, a complex mixture of various components, is intimately linked to both ocular and systemic health through changes in its composition and properties. Due to its ease of collection, minimal invasiveness, and cost-effectiveness, tear fluid is increasingly recognized as a valuable source for biomarker research. However, the absence of standardized procedures for tear fluid collection compromises the accuracy and reproducibility of research findings, thus constraining the scope and depth of its application in biomarker studies. This review explores commonly employed methods for tear collection, such as microcapillary tubes, Schirmer strips, and the phenol red thread tear test. It offers a comparison of these techniques grounded in existing research, aiming to provide insights and recommendations for choosing the most appropriate tear collection methods.
KEYWORDS：
Tear fluid;Collection method;Tear fluid composition;Storage of tear fluid;Classification of tear fluid
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Authors Info & Affiliations
Liu Tong
Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University (Xi’an No.1 Hospital), Xi’an 710002, China
Lin Xuemei
Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University (Xi’an No.1 Hospital), Xi’an 710002, China
Wu Songdi
Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University (Xi’an No.1 Hospital), Xi’an 710002, China
Figures & Tables
Table 1 Comparison of different tear collection methods
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