Assessment of Serum Cytokine Levels in Keratoconus Patients

Background: While keratoconus (KC) has traditionally been classified as a non-inflammatory corneal disorder, emerging evidence suggests that inflammatory processes may be involved in its pathogenesis. This study investigated whether systemic inflammation contributes to KC development by measuring serum levels of key pro-inflammatory cytokines in KC patients compared to healthy controls. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study included 60 participants aged 18-30 and was divided into three equal groups: healthy controls, progressive KC, and stable KC. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in the serum were measured through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. KC severity was classified based on mean keratometry values. Results: There were no significant differences detected in serum IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels across groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, no significant correlations were found between systemic cytokine levels and KC severity categories (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Systemic levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α do not significantly differ between KC patients and controls nor do they correlate with disease severity, reinforcing the hypothesis that KC involves primarily local inflammatory processes.