Tears Hold Secrets to Our Health: BYU Researchers Develop Innovative Method for Analysis
Tears might be a sign of emotion, but they also carry valuable secrets about our health. A team of researchers at Brigham Young University (BYU) has made a groundbreaking revelation: contact lenses can be used to collect these precious tears, paving the way for a revolutionary new diagnostic tool. for years, scientists have known that tear proteins can reveal a wealth of facts about our bodies, including indicators of diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, diabetes complications, and even some cancers. Though, customary methods for collecting tears were frequently enough invasive, inconvenient, and uncomfortable for patients. “None of the existing methods were great ways to collect tears,” explained Dr. Keen Christensen, a BYU biochemistry professor and lead researcher. “Dr. Roden and I both wore contacts, and we thought, ‘I wonder if we can get proteins off the contact lens.'” After two and a half years of dedicated research,the answer was a resounding “Yes!” The team discovered that super-soft hydrogel contact lenses could effectively capture basal tears – the continuous layer of tears that keeps our eyes lubricated and provides the most accurate health information. The process is quick and painless, taking just five minutes and causing minimal discomfort to participants. “Tears are more than just ways to keep the eyes clean,” said Dr. John Price,another BYU biochemistry professor involved in the research. “They carry molecules inside the body,and they have to tell us if there are any problems,what’s behind the eye.”Tears are more than just ways to keep the eyes clean.While this discovery is a major breakthrough, there’s still work to be done before tear analysis using contact lenses becomes a standard medical procedure.The technology needed to analyze the proteins in tears is currently expensive and not widely accessible. However, the BYU team is optimistic. They are currently conducting further studies at Rocky Mountain University, with the ultimate goal of making tear analysis as routine as a check of yoru weight at the doctor’s office. “The goal is always to make a positive contribution, that it helps people,” Dr. Price emphasized.
## Archyde News Segment: Tears: The Future of Healthcare?
**Host**: Joining us today are two professors from Brigham Young University, Dr. keen Christensen and Dr. John Price,who have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of diagnostics. Welcome to Archyde!
**Dr. Christensen**: Thanks for having us.
**Host**: Dr. Christensen, let’s start with the basics. Why are tears so valuable for medical diagnosis?
**Dr. Christensen**: Tears are a goldmine of facts about our health. They contain proteins that change in very specific ways when certain diseases are present. We’re talking about conditions like Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, diabetes complications, even some cancers.
**host**: That’s remarkable. But conventional methods for collecting tears have been problematic, right?
**Dr. Price**: Absolutely. Existing methods were frequently enough invasive, uncomfortable, and inconvenient for patients.
**Host**: So, your team found a unique solution using something most of us wear every day: contact lenses.
**Dr. Christensen**: Exactly! We realized that super-soft hydrogel contact lenses could actually capture these essential basal tears, the ones that constantly lubricate our eyes.
**Host**: And this process is painless and speedy?
**Dr.Price**: Absolutely. It only takes about five minutes and is minimally invasive.
**Host**: This sounds revolutionary. What are the next steps?
**Dr. Christensen**: While this discovery is a major breakthrough, the technology needed to analyse these proteins is still expensive and limited.
**host**: So, we’re not quite there yet, but the future looks shining.
**Dr. price**: Precisely! We’re optimistic that with further advancement,tear analysis using contact lenses could become a standard part of routine checkups,offering early detection and perhaps saving lives.
**Host**: Dr. Christensen and Dr. Price, thank you both for sharing your groundbreaking work with us. This is certainly a development worth keeping an eye on!
**(End segment)**
## Tears Hold Secrets To Our Health: A Q&A
**Q: Dr. Christensen, what makes tears so valuable for medical diagnosis?**
**A:** Tears are a treasure trove of facts about our health. They contain proteins that change in specific ways when certain diseases are present. We’re talking about conditions like Alzheimer’s,macular degeneration,diabetes complications,even some cancers.
**Q: Dr. Price, what where the limitations of traditional methods for collecting tears?**
**A:** Existing methods were often invasive, uncomfortable, and inconvenient for patients.
**Q: Dr. Christensen, how did your team come up with the idea of using contact lenses for tear collection?**
**A:** Dr. Roden and I both wear contact lenses, and we wondered if it might be possible to collect proteins from them.
**Q: What type of contact lenses did you find to be most effective?**
**A:** Super-soft hydrogel contact lenses were able to effectively capture basal tears, the continuous layer of tears that best reflects our health.
**Q: How long does the process take and is it painful?**
**A:** It only takes about five minutes and is minimally invasive.
**Q: What are the next steps for your research?**
**A:** While this is a major breakthrough, the technology needed to analyze the proteins in tears is still expensive and not widely accessible. We are working to make this process more affordable and available.
