Radical oxidation of tear film at mammalian eye temperature – development of dry eye disease.

The proposal seeks to continue a series of experiments investigating the interaction between ambient atmospheric radicals and the aqueous lipid covered layer protecting mammalian eyes. Eyes are one of the most exposed mucosal interfaces on mammals and oxidation of the film may result in dry eye disease. We wish to investigate the change in morphology and amount of (1) partially deuterated proxy tear film mixtures and (2) the lipids harvested from human tear film with exposure to an atmospheric radical oxidant, OH radical. The work will be performed at mammalian eye temperature of 35°C. We will establish if the proxies are accurate and useful facsimiles or should not be used.