Proteomics of Tear Fluid as a Non-Invasive Biomarker Platform for Glaucoma Detection in Nigerian Patients

Non-invasive biomarker discovery for glaucoma is a rapidly advancing frontier in optometric and ophthalmological research. Tear fluid contains proteins that reflect ocular surface and intraocular pathological processes, making it a compelling minimally invasive diagnostic medium. This study applies high-throughput tear fluid proteomics to identify candidate biomarkers for glaucoma detection among Nigerian patients, with the goal of developing a future point-of-care tear-based diagnostic test. Tear samples will be collected using Schirmer's strips from 80 glaucoma patients and 80 age-matched controls at the University College Hospital Ibadan and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, South West Nigeria. Label-free quantitative mass spectrometry will be performed, followed by bioinformatics analysis using STRING and Gene Ontology enrichment tools to identify significantly dysregulated proteins and biological pathways. Candidate biomarkers will be validated using targeted proteomics and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a second independent cohort of 100 participants. The study constitutes the first tear proteomics investigation for glaucoma in an African population and will produce an original dataset of differentially expressed proteins with potential diagnostic utility. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals specializing in translational ocular research and submitted to the West African Health Organization's research innovation program. Keywords: tear proteomics, glaucoma biomarkers, mass spectrometry, non-invasive diagnostics, Nigeria