Tear proteomics, by 2-DE, can give a fingerprint of the protein profile, which 
is well suited in clinical proteomics for biomarker identification and in 
diagnostics. The mode of tear collection can influence the representation of the 
proteins in the tear and therefore it is important to use the appropriate 
method. In this study, capillary and Schirmer mode of tear collection was done 
in the healthy controls and the Schirmer method was validated in dry eye 
syndrome conditions. 2-D PAGE of normal and dry eye tear was performed using pH 
3-10 linear IPG strips followed by 13% SDS-PAGE. The spot intensity was analyzed 
by the PD quest software. The two methods were compared using Bland-Altman 
statistical tool. The 2-D map of capillary and Schirmer tear showed 147 ± 8 
spots and 145 ± 7 spots respectively. Both the collection methods were in 
agreement with each other and were comparable. Dry eye tear protein showed 
differential expression of proteins as observed in 25-35 kDa region. One of the 
significantly reduced protein was identified as proline-rich 4 protein. Schirmer 
method of tear collection is reliable in patients with dry eye, which can 
display the differential protein expression and help in biomarker 
identification.