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Updated: May 5, 2026
Bead Based Multiplex Assay for Analysis of Tear Cytokine Profiles
Published on: October 13, 2017
Biomarcadores Inflamatorios de la Película Lagrimal en Queratocono: Perspectivas sobre la Severidad de la Enfermedad
SreeLakshmi Pallamreddy1, Sandhya C S2, Murali Krishna Damdamraju3
1Department of Ophthalmology, S V Medical College, Tirupati, India.
Background:
Keratoconus (KC) involves a progressive corneal deformation, recognized as having an inflammatory component, despite traditionally being considered non-inflammatory. This study investigates the notable tear film cytokines and their correlation with KC disease severity.
Objectives:
i). To measure inflammatory tear biomarkers in the keratoconus patients and compare them with healthy controls. ii). To evaluate biomarker levels across different severity stages of keratoconus.
Study Design:
This study follows a case-control observational design, comparing inflammatory tear biomarkers in the keratoconus patients (cases) and normal individuals (controls), at a single point in time without intervention.
Methods:
Eighteen KC patients and 25 healthy controls were enrolled. Tear samples were collected via Schirmer strips and analyzed for IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, MMP-9, and TNF-α using ELISA. Group comparisons were made using non parametric tests, and Spearman's correlation evaluated associations with disease severity.
Results:
KC patients showed significantly elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, MMP-9, and TNF-α (p < 0.05). IL-1β, MMP-9, and TNF-α demonstrated strong associations with disease severity, while IL-6 and IL-10 exhibited moderate correlations, and IL-4 showed only a weak association with keratoconus progression.
Conclusion:
The study emphasizes inflammation's role in keratoconus and identifies tear film inflammatory markers as promising tools for diagnosis, prognosis, early detection, disease monitoring, and personalized treatment.
