Crystalline Wax Esters Regulate the Evaporation Resistance of Tear Film Lipid Layers Associated with Dry Eye Syndrome

0517196 - ÚFCH JH 2020 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Paananen, Riku O. - Javanainen, Matti - Holopainen, J. M. - Vattulainen, I.
Crystalline Wax Esters Regulate the Evaporation Resistance of Tear Film Lipid Layers Associated with Dry Eye Syndrome.
Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. Roč. 10, č. 14 (2019), s. 3893-3898. ISSN 1948-7185
Institutional support: RVO:61388955 ; RVO:61388963
Keywords : force-field * permeation * water * temperature * meibum * oxygen
OECD category: Physical chemistry; Physical chemistry (UOCHB-X)
Impact factor: 6.710, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Open access

Dry eye syndrome (DES), one of the most common ophthalmological diseases, is typically caused by excessive evaporation of tear fluid from the ocular surface. Excessive evaporation is linked to impaired function of the tear film lipid layer (TFLL) that covers the aqueous tear film. The principles of the evaporation resistance of the TFLL have remained unknown, however. We combined atomistic simulations with Brewster angle microscopy and surface potential experiments to explore the organization and evaporation resistance of films composed of wax esters, one of the main components of the TFLL. The results provide evidence that the evaporation resistance of the TFLL is based on crystalline-state layers of wax esters and that the evaporation rate is determined by defects in the TFLL and its coverage on the ocular surface. On the basis of the results, uncovering the nonequilibrium spreading and crystallization of TFLL films has potential to reveal new means of treating DES.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0302485