| Summary: | The aim of this thesis was to enable collection and examination of the infant tear film. Therefore a new collection method was developed and applied. Different absorbent materials were tested for the best extraction quality and a suitable material selected for sample storage, sterilisation and for protein analysis. Cellulose rods were the ideal choice and were compared to glass capillary tubes, which are the standard collection method for adult tears. In adults, tear collection with cellulose rods was efficient and no difference in the mean total and major protein concentrations was found (Bradford test and gel electrophoresis). Safety of the technique was assessed by measuring the serum albumin concentration in the tears. Samples did not show damage to the ocular surface by serum leakage. When applied to premature and full-term infants, the cellulose rod successfully collected samples and was a suitable and sensitive technique for measuring the protein content and concentration for total and major protein assays. It was shown that sample volume sizes increased with post- conceptional age. In contrast to adult tears, no relationship between tear volume and protein analysis was found. However, similar to adult tear proteins a relationship with closed and open eye tears was found. In addition, tear ferning showed mainly grades that indicate a healthy tear film. In a pilot study, the cellulose rod was applied to a small number of paediatric contact lens wearers. Tear collection, transport from the clinical location to the laboratory and analysis of tear samples were successfully carried out. Higher numbers of subjects are necessary for conclusive data analysis.
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