Ayyad Zartasht Khan

Abstract Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a carbohydrate-binding protein which plays crucial roles in inflammation, immune response, and cell signaling. At the ocular surface, Gal-3 is also known to crosslink transmembrane mucins to support barrier function. However, the biological role of Gal-3 in circulating tear fluid remains largely unexplored. Similarly, whether Gal-3 engages extracellular glycoprotein ligands in tears to affect biological processes is unknown.

Introduction Dry eye disease (DED) affects millions of individuals worldwide and is a major cause of ocular discomfort, visual disturbance, and reduced quality of life.1 Patients with DED commonly report symptoms such as burning, stinging, tearing, photophobia, foreign body sensation, ocular pain, and fluctuating or blurred vision.2 Clinically, DED is characterized by disruption of tear film and ocular surface homeostasis, which may manifest as tear film instability, hyperosmolarity, ocular...

Back to Journals » Clinical Ophthalmology » Volume 20 Original Research General Ophthalmology Authors Bair JA , Khan AZ, Yazdani M, Ræder S, Utheim TP, Fineide FA Received 19 February 2026 Accepted for publication 21 April 2026 Published 3 June 2026 Volume 2026:20 593926 DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S593926 Checked for plagiarism Yes Review by Single anonymous peer review Peer reviewer comments 4 Editor who approved publication: Dr Sotiria Palioura Jeffrey A Bair,1– 3 Ayyad Zartasht...