ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the change of tear immune function on eyeballs with perforating injury at high altitude. METHODS: In 51 patients (53 eyes) with eyeball perforating injury at high altitude (sea level 3658 m), by using single agar immune diffusion test, IgG, IgA, IgM, C(3) and C(4) values of tears were separately measured before and after clinical cure. RESULTS: The Ig values of tears increased universally. The IgA value increased especially in the 7th day. The IgG and IgM value in the serum increased in the 3rd day after injury (P < 0.05), and the IgG, IgA and IgM of tears increased especially on the 7th day (P < 0.01). The C(3) and C(4) value of tears did not change significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The change of Ig value is a useful detective means to evaluate the treatment effect.