CA24112 - Implementation of Tear Fluid Biomarkers in Precision Medicine (TEAR-Precision)

Tear fluid is a dynamic and multifaceted biological fluid crucial for ocular surface health. Often underestimated, its complexity transcends its lubricating function. Recently, tear fluid has gained widespread attention as an non-invasive source of biomarkers, offering insights into ocular health, but also providing glimpses into systemic and neurological well-being. This emerging field of tear biomarkers holds great promise for diagnostic and therapeutic advancements, potentially reshaping the landscape of precision medicine. Nevertheless, the path from discovery to clinical implementation is marked by significant challenges and complexities.

One of the most significant hurdles lies in the variability observed in tear fluid research, attributable to the lack of standardized methodologies for tear fluid collection, storage (biobanking), normalization and reporting. These variations significantly affect the development of tear-based point-of-care tests, causing a delay in the clinical use of tear biomarkers. Fragmentation of tear fluid research groups and institutions exacerbates these challenges. Collaboration between researchers is hindered by this lack of generalized standards and guidelines, as well as the absence of a common platform for knowledge and resource sharing.

TEAR-Precision action aims to address these challenges. It will bring together a multidisciplinary and international network of clinicians and researchers in the field. Creating consensus-based protocols and recommendations for best practices will bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical implementation. The anticipated knowledge creation and transfer will ensure that Europe can stay at the forefront of tear fluid research and its clinical applications in the field of precision medicine.