The research results are published in Analytical Chemistry. The team was led by Prof. Jiang Changlong from the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Lysozyme, often called “the body’s own antibiotic,” plays a crucial role in protecting the eyes from infection. As an important biomarker for various eye diseases, monitoring its levels in tears can offer valuable insights into eye health. However, traditional methods for detecting lysozyme are often invasive or require complex equipment.

In this study, the research team proposed a noninvasive fluorescent visualization detection method, expanding the application range of eye patch fluorescent sensors. First, the functionalized Eu-Dy MOF gel probes integrated into the eye patch sensors are used as sensing units. Tear fluids secreted by the eyes are collected via the eye patches applied to the skin beneath the eyes.