The tear film is a thin layer of fluid that covers the ocular surface and is involved in lubrication and protection of the eye. TF analysis is a noninvasive approach in early diagnosis and study of pathogenesis of eye-related diseases. It may also assist follow-up assessment of therapeutic treatment. Little is known about the protein composition of tear fluid but its deregulation is associated with disease states, such as diabetic dry eyes. This makes this body fluid an interestingly candidate for in-depth proteomic analysis.
