On July 20, 2022, researchers at Wenzhou University in Wenzhou, China reported through the journal ACS Nano that they have developed a new technology to detect eye diseases with teardrops. Incorporated Tear Exomosomes Analysis via Rapid-isolation System, or iTEARS, is a nanomembrane system that diagnoses eye diseases by analyzing proteins in teardrops. 

There is numerous information inside human teardrops. Tears contain cellular messages stuffed in tiny sacs. Scientists have made a solution that causes other molecules in tears to escape and sacs to remain only. The iTEARS then analyze the sacs for diseases.

Using this system, researchers could identify patients with eye-related diseases such as different types of dry eye disease within 5 minutes based on more than 400 proteins in the teardrops. They were able to identify signs of diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy.

The researchers are confident of this technique's potential to diagnose conditions that do not directly affect the eyes like neurodegenerative diseases. They could potentially be used by doctors to monitor patients’ conditions.

By Jiyun Seo