Matrix Metalloproteinases 9 Testing Using Immunoassay Kit in Oculoplastic Outpatient Clinic Patients

Purpose: We assessed the association between the results of tear film-based matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) immunoassay and the diagnosis of patients who visited an oculoplastic outpatient clinic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the MMP-9 immunoassay results in 1,703 eyes from 1,703 patients who presented with ocular discomfort at an oculoplastic outpatient clinic. The MMP-9 immunoassay results were analyzed in correlation with the final oculoplastic diagnosis of the patients. Results: In total, 1,126 of 1,533 eyes demonstrated positive expression of MMP-9. No statistically significant differences were observed in MMP-9 expression based on sex (p = 0.107) and age (p = 0.510). Furthermore, 120 of 169 eyes with thyroid eye disease (71.0%, p < 0.001), 145 of 161 eyes with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (90.1%, p < 0.001), 282 of 375 eyes with nasolacrimal duct stenosis (75.2%, p < 0.001), 190 of 238 eyes with entropion (79.8%, p < 0.001), 19 of 23 eyes with ectropion (82.6%, p < 0.001), and 370 of 567 eyes with dry eye syndrome (65.3%, p < 0.001) exhibited positive MMP-9 expression. Conclusions: The MMP-9 immunoassay is a noninvasive, convenient, and rapid test that evaluates ocular surface inflammation. Most patients with oculoplastic diseases exhibit positive MMP-9 expression. These findings provide valuable information for guiding diagnostic and management decisions in patients with oculoplastic conditions.