Posters

'Zilfyan keratoconus test'- MMP-9” in diagnostics of keratoconus

Poster Details

First Author: A.Zilfyan ARMENIA

Co Author(s):    A. Abovyan                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The study aims to determine the association of keratoconus with elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels in the lacrimal fluid of patients.

Setting:

In controlled, cross-sectional, double-masked study, the patients were examined as they attended the clinic; this method approximated random sampling. The study took place in “Shengavit” Medical Center, Yerevan, Armenia.

Methods:

The level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 was assessed using ELISA analyses in tear fluid. In addition, a Shirmer’s test was performed on all patients. In total, 300 patients (one eye of every patient) were examined. Three groups were distinguished: First group - 100 patients without any ocular pathology, as a control group. Second group - 100 patients with subclinical stages of keratoconus. Third group- 100 patients in the first, second, and third stages of keratoconus.

Results:

In the third group (patients with obvious keratoconus),elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 were observed in 98 out of 100 eyes . In the second group (patients with subclinical keratoconus), high levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 were observed in 90 out of 100 eyes. In the control group, only 4 eyes out of 100 had an elevated level of matrix metalloproteinase-9.

Conclusions:

The results of the study demonstrate that the tear fluids of patients in the first to third stages of keratoconus or with subclinical keratoconus contain elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 as compared to the control group. Consequently, the detection of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in tear fluid can be used in the diagnostics of keratoconus. According to our studies we published our article in Pubmed e-library in 2017 and patented it as “Zilfyan Keratoconus Test”. No conflict of interests was reported by the authors.

Financial Disclosure:

None