2.3. Collection of Patient Specimens

Three biofluids—tears, aqueous, and blood—were collected only from the first six patients (Batch 1): 20 mL of blood, 100 µL to 200 µL of aqueous, and two Schirmer’s strips of tears at baseline and at the fourth visit (after receiving three consecutive intravitreal injections). For the remaining 18 patients (Batch 2), only tear samples were collected at the baseline visit prior to the first intravitreal injection and at the fourth visit (after receiving three consecutive intravitreal injections). All samples were snap-frozen at −80 degrees Celsius until analysis was performed.