Ocular surface inflammatory cytokines as a biomarker for retinopathy of prematurity

Jing Li ¹

⁰Department of Ophthalmology, Shanxi Children's Hospital, Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, NO.13, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. dun31188@yeah.net.

Eye (London, England) +

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December 26, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in tear fluid correlate with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) severity. These biomarkers may aid in ROP diagnosis and monitoring.

Area Of Science

Ophthalmology
Neonatology
Immunology

Background

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of childhood blindness.
Inflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of ROP.
Tear fluid offers a non-invasive method for biomarker assessment.

Purpose Of The Study

To identify potential tear fluid biomarkers for ROP progression and severity.
To investigate the levels of key inflammatory cytokines in relation to ROP stages.

Main Methods

Eighty preterm infants were categorized into four ROP severity groups.
Tear fluid cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-17, IL-22) were quantified using ELISA.
Statistical analysis involved one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests.

Main Results

Significantly elevated levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were observed in moderate and severe ROP groups compared to no ROP and mild ROP groups.
No significant differences in IL-10, IL-17, and IL-22 levels were found across ROP severity groups.
Pairwise comparisons confirmed significant differences for IL-1 and IL-6 between most ROP severity groups.

Conclusions

Increased tear fluid concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α are associated with ROP severity.
These cytokines show potential as non-invasive biomarkers for ROP diagnosis and follow-up.
Further studies are needed to confirm clinical applications and validate these findings.