title: Scheimpflug Imaging Parameters Associated with Tear Mediators and Bronchial Asthma in Keratoconus.
abstract: Purpose. To determine associations between mediators in tears in the whole spectrum of keratoconus (KC); to explore connections between mediators and Scheimpflug parameters; to examine correlations between Scheimpflug parameters and bronchial asthma. Methods. Tear samples were collected from 69 patients and 19 controls. Concentrations of mediators-IL-6, -10; CXCL8, CCL5; MMP-9, -13; TIMP-1; t-PA, PAI-1-were measured by Cytometric Bead Array. Measured Pentacam parameters include keratometry values (K 1, K 2, K max), corneal thickness (Pachy Pupil, Apex, Min), and elevations and indices (including Belin-Ambrósio deviation (BAD-D)). Results. A number of significant positive associations were observed between pairs of mediator concentrations. Significant positive correlations were found between BAD-D and CXCL8/MMP-9 and K 2 and MMP-9. Significant negative associations were explored between Pachy Min and CXCL8/t-PA. Significant associations were found between pairs of mediators (IL-6 and CXCL8; CCL5 and CXCL8/MMP-9; TIMP-1 and MMP-9/-13/t-PA; t-PA and CXCL8/CCL5/PAI-1) and the severity of KC. Significant positive correlation between asthma and the severity of KC was explored. Conclusion. Cooperation of different mediators in tears all taking part in the complex pathomechanism of keratoconus was revealed. Our research verifies that inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of KC. Additionally this study confirms the effect of bronchial asthma on keratoconus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen 4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: Dorottya
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1390-0548
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pásztor
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen 4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: Bence Lajos
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1517-8157
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Kolozsvári
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen 4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7821-2412
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Csutak
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen 4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: András
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8690-1162
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berta
authors.affiliation: Orbident Refractive Surgery and Medical Center, Debrecen 4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: Ziad
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5070-1233
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen 4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: Beáta Andrea
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7102-6350
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Kettesy
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen 4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: Péter
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9411-9587
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gogolák
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen 4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: Mariann
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1089-3899
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fodor