Inflammatory markers increased in tears of patients with contact lens-related dry eye
There is an increase in several inflammatory markers in the tears of individuals with contact lens-related dry eye (CLDE) suggesting inflammation has a potential role in CLDE, according to a study.
In this study, 100 experienced soft contact lens daily wearers were included. Based on Contact Lens and Dry Eye Questionnaire scores, tear break-up times, and comfort, 50 participants were classified as normal and 50 as having CLDE.
Compared to the healthy participants, participants in the CLDE group had a significantly increased tear concentration of several inflammatory mediators, including the following:
- Interleukin (IL)-7 (P = 0.001)
- IL-8 (P = 0.001)
- IL-13 (P = 0.001)
- IL-15 (P = 0.001)
- IL-12 p70 (P = 0.002),
- Growth-related oncogene-alpha/ chemokine (CXC motif) ligand 1 (P = 0.003)
- Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (P = 0.005)
- IL-11 (P = 0.008)
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (P = 0.01)
- IL-1 receptor antagonist (RA) (P = 0.013)
- Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (P = 0.013)
- Eotaxin/CC motif chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) (P = 0.016)
- IL-2 (P = 0.016)
In the CLDE group, IL-13 (P = 0.001), Eotaxin/CCL11 (P = 0.016), and IL-1RA (P = 0.013) were increased ≥3-fold.
Reference
Ramamoorthy P, Khanal S, J Nichols J. Inflammatory proteins associated with contact lens-related dry eye. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2021;101442. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.101442. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33824065.
