Application of Scanning Electron Microscopy With Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy for Analyzing Ocular Surface Particles on Schirmer Strips

摘要: PURPOSE To demonstrate the application of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) for analyzing Schirmer strips particle concentration, size, morphology, and type distribution. METHODS A cross-sectional design was used. Patients were prospectively recruited from Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System eye clinic, they underwent a complete ocular surface examination. The type, chemical composition particulate matter on (from left eye) analyzed using SEM/EDS. RESULTS all 6 patients showed loading, ranging 1 to 33 particles, whereas blank strip that served as control no loading. Most particles coarse, an average size 19.7 μm (95% confidence interval 15-24.4 μm). All samples contained organic (eg, pollen mold), 5 nonorganic particles. composed silicon, minerals, metals, including gold titanium. aluminum iron ≥62 μm, 2 other zinc gold, smaller, is, <20 μm. metal elongated compared which round. CONCLUSIONS Although SEM/EDS has been extensively used in biomedical research, its novel assess offers unprecedented opportunity tease out role exposure disease disorders.