Inflammatory Cytokines in Tear Fluid as Potential Biomarkers for Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a significant association between the level of cytokines in the tear fluid and the presence and severity of the Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The level of the cytokines was determined in 34 eyes of 34 infants with ROP and 18 eyes of 18 infants without ROP. There were 15 eyes of 15 severe ROP requiring treatment and 19 eyes of 19 mild ROP not requiring treatment. Our results showed that the systemic risk factors for ROP included low gestational age, low birth weight, low Apgar score, surfactant administration, and rapid weight gain. Significantly higher levels of CCL2 and VEGF were detected in eyes with severe ROP compared to eyes with mild ROP or no ROP. Correlation analysis showed that lower gestation age was associated with increased CCL2 levels, lower birth weight with decreased IL-1α levels, and rapid weight gain with decreased IFN-γ levels. A combination of higher CCL2 levels, higher VEGF levels, and lower IFN-γ levels had a stronger predictive value for the severe ROP (area under curve, 0.85). We conclude that the levels of CCL2, VEGF, and IFN-γ are useful biomarkers for the severity of the ROP.