"Smart Eye Camera": An innovative technique to evaluate tear film breakup time in a murine dry eye disease model

PLoS One. 2019 May 9;14(5):e0215130. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215130. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Tear film breakup time (TFBUT) is an essential parameter used to diagnose dry eye disease (DED). However, a robust method for examining TFBUT in murine models has yet to be established. We invented an innovative device, namely, the "Smart Eye Camera", which addresses several problems associated with existing methods and is capable of evaluating TFBUT in a murine DED model. We compared images taken by existing devices and the Smart Eye Camera in a graft-versus-host disease-related DED murine model. We observed that the quality of the images obtained by the Smart Eye Camera were sufficient for practical use. Moreover, this new technique could be used to obtain measurements for several consecutive ocular phenotypes in a variety of environments. Here, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our new invention in the examination of ocular phenotypes, including TFBUT in a murine model. We highlight the potential for future translational studies adopting the Smart Eye Camera in clinical settings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / etiology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / complications
  • Graft vs Host Disease / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Phenotype
  • Photography / methods*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional
  • Tears / chemistry*
  • Tears / metabolism

Grants and funding

This work was partially supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, Culture, and Technology, #18K09421 and The Uehara Memorial Foundation. No other funding statement to declare. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The OUI Inc. supported in providing the device for authors [insert relevant initials], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.