Am J Ophthalmol. 2018 Oct 11. pii: S0002-9394(18)30590-7. [Epub ahead of print]
PURPOSE: To investigate the association between the severity of bullous keratopathy and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the aqueous humor (AqH).DESIGN: Cross sectional study.
METHODS: This study included a total of 95 eyes: 62 with bullous keratopathy and 33 that underwent cataract surgery. Central corneal thickness (CCT) and central corneal volume within 4mm and 6mm (CCV4mm and CCV6mm, respectively) were determined using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. A total of 95 AqH samples were collected at the beginning of surgery. The levels of cytokines (interleukin[IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, interferon [IFN]-α, IFN-γ, monocyte chemotactic protein [MCP]-1, E-selectin and P-selectin) in the AqH were measured using multiplex beads immunoassay. We evaluated the correlation among AqH cytokine levels, CCT, CCV4mm and CCV6mm in eyes with bullous keratopathy.
RESULTS: The levels of protein, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, MCP-1, IFN-γ, E-selectin, P-selectin, and sICAM-1 were significantly higher in eyes with bullous keratopathy compared with those of the normal controls (all, P < 0.0025). CCT was significantly correlated with the levels of IL-13 (r = 0.551, P = 0.0009), and sICAM-1 (r = 0.448, P = 0.0005). CCV4mm was significantly correlated with the levels of IL-13 (r = 0.514, P = 0.0022), and sICAM-1 (r = 0.404, P = 0.0019). CCV6mm was significantly correlated with the level of sICAM-1 (r = 0.459, P = 0.0003).
CONCLUSION: The severity of corneal edema in eyes with bullous keratopathy was associated with the levels of specific cytokines in the AqH.
Keywords: Aqueous humor; Bullous keratopathy; Corneal thickness; Cytokine