Personalised Dry Eye Treatment: The Use of Genetic Testing to Tailor Treatment Plans to Individual Patients

@article{1722223,
      author = {Dr. Y. R. Eronini, Prof. N. C. Ikoro, Prof. A. U. Megwas, Dr. Y. C. Azuamah, Dr. C. M. Chukwuoha; Dr. G. Ugwuoke},
      title = {Personalised Dry Eye Treatment: The Use of Genetic Testing to Tailor Treatment Plans to Individual Patients},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {2},
      pages = {1172-1180},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722223.pdf},
      abstract = {Dry eye disease is a chronic condition affecting millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort, visual impairment, and decreased quality of life. This research was designed as a clinical and laboratory based study for investigating the use of genetic testing to tailor treatment plans to individual patients. One hundred and twenty subjects, 58 (48.3%) males and 62 (51.7%) females with dry eye disease between the ages of 18-65 years were enrolled in the study. Tear assessment, Tear Break Up Time test (TBUT) using fluoresciene dye and tear flow rate test using schirmer strip without anesthesia were done clinically to confirm Dry Eye Disease (DED), tear film samples were collected using sterile swab and genetic investigations were carried out in the molecular laboratory to detect the enrichment of variants responsible for Dry Eye Disease (DED) and Ocular Surface Inflammation (OSI); DNAJB6 was detected in 59 subjects and absent in 61 subjects, MAML3 was detected in 47 and absent in 73 subjects, LINC02267 was detected in 13 subjects and absent in 107 subjects, MUC16 was detected in 14 subjects and absent in 106 subjects, SIRPB3P was detected in 48 subjects and absent in 72 subjects, GAS2L3 was detected in 13 subjects and absent in 107 subjects, KLF4 was detected in 81 subjects and absent in 89 subjects, and PAX6 was detected in 28 subjects and absent in 92 subjects. LINCO2267 and GAS2L3 were the least detected among genetic variants for OSI and DED respectively while KLF4 was the most detected among genetic variants for OSI and DED. The significant representation of DNAJB6, MAML3, LINC02267, and MUC16 variants shows molecular relationship between DED and OSI. From SPSS version 23 data output, data analysis using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance revealed for DED genetic variants a p-value of 0.00. Since p(0.00) <0.05, there is an association between genetic variants and dry eye disease. For ocular surface inflammation, SPSS version 23 data output, data analysis using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance revealed a p-value of 0.00. Since p(0.00) < 0.05, there is an association between genetic variants and ocular surface inflammation. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that dry eye disease and ocular surface inflammation were strongly influenced by genetic variation in epithelial and inflammatory pathways. The results also showed that the initiation and progression of dry eye were multifactorial. It is therefore recommended that eye care practitioners consider genetic testing as an alternative approach for the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease. Incorporating genetic testing alongside regular eye examinations can help eye care practitioners better understand each patient’s condition.},
      keywords = {Assessment, Impairment, Investigations, Inflammation, Multifactorial.},
      month = {August},
  }