Purpose: To compare conjunctival epithelium expression of HLA-DR and ICAM-1
with tear dynamics and ocular surface parameters. Methods: Brush cytology
and flow cytometry were used to quantitatively analyze HLA-DR and ICAM-1 ex
pression in 28 dry eye patients, Results: HLA-DR was expressed in 66% of th
e conjunctival cells of dry eye patients. This expression correlates with t
hat of ICAM-1, as well as with the Schirmer test results (p < 0.05). Conclu
sion: This study confirmed that dry eye consists not only of ocular surface
desiccation, but also of upregulation of the HLA-DR and ICAM-1 molecule in
the conjunctival epithelium, possibly resulting in increased inflammation.