DR. ADITYA PATIL

DR. PADMAMALINI MAHENDRA DAS, PROF.ROHIT SHETTY

Abstract

PURPOSE: To study tear cytokine profile including biomarkers like IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, MMP-9, ICAM-1, TNFα, and VEGF-A in 5 patients with Fuch’s Uveitis Syndrome (FUS). METHODS: Cross-sectional observational analytical study on tear biomarkers in 7 eyes of 5 patients with FUS compared to 50 eyes of 25 age-matched healthy controls. Tear samples collected using sterile Schirmer tear strips and cytokines analysed using a biomarker kit (Bio M pathfinder) in both groups. Samples collected before pharmacological mydriasis and stored in 1.5mL microcentrifuge tubes. Kruskal Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found that there was an upregulation of IL-6, IL-10, MMP-9, IL-17A and downregulation of IL-1β and VEGF-A in patients of FUS. Levels of ICAM-1 & TNFα did not have statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Analysis and quantification of specific tear cytokines may help in better understanding the pathogenesis and plan future targeted therapy in FUS.