Tear glycoprotein determinations in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of dry eyes.

Lacrimal, conjunctival and serum glycoproteins were detected by tear glycoprotein electrophoresis in normal tears, and in tears of patients suffering from acute and chronic conjunctivitis, caustic injuries, aqueous tear deficient dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjögren's syndrome), and mucus deficiencies (ocular pemphigoid, and Stevens Johnson syndrome). The use of tear protein and glycoprotein electrophoresis is discussed in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of dry eyes in different forms and stages of the diseases. The possible physiological role of different glycoproteins and the significance of glycoprotein determinations in the selection of various therapeutic procedures is discussed.