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Detection method may provide better ocular surface disease screening
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 Herbert E. Kaufman |
SAN DIEGO — MMP-9 detection is a useful resource in detecting dry eye and ocular surface disease and has been shown to predict the value and efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatments, a presenter said here.
"I believe the MMP-9 detection is the best single test to detect ocular surface disease," Herbert E. Kaufman, MD, said during the Innovators Session at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting. "Its preop use in refractive surgery and other surgeries will greatly reduce complications."
MMP-9, a cytokine produced by distressed epithelial cells and elevated in patients with dry eye disease, was shown in previous studies to be indicative of which patients will respond to anti-inflammatory therapies such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine, according to Dr. Kaufman. Although previous detection methods were expensive and time-consuming, a new four-step testing process (RPS InflammaDry Detector, Rapid Pathogen Screening) utilizes direct sampling micro-filtration immunoassay technology to detect the cytokine within 10 minutes for about $15.
"What's neat is to look at the future of this thing, in areas outside of ophthalmology," Dr. Kaufman said, noting the use of the same test in instances such as flu epidemic detection.
- Disclosure: Dr. Kaufman is a consultant to and an investor in Rapid Pathogen Screening.