[Changes in oxidative processes in the anterior segment of the eye in patients with keratoconus]

Biochemical parameters of the tears, reflecting oxidative processes in the eyes, were analyzed in 79 patients (146 eyes) aged 19-42 years with progressive and acute keratocone and with long remission of the disease. The data indicate disorders in oxidative processes with predominance of aerobic oxidation over anaerobic in the anterior segment of the eye. Evaluation of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes showed predominance of prooxidant processes over oxidant. These disorders are related in keratocone and differ in progressive, acute condition, and remission. The greatest changes in the lacrimal oxidative processes are observed during the disease progress and even more so in acute disease. The detected changes in the lacrimal biochemistry in patients with keratocone can be regarded as an important mechanism underlying the dystrophic processes in the cornea.