Posters

Elevated copper ion levels in keratoconus patients' tears

Poster Details

First Author: M.Girolamo ITALY

Co Author(s): P. Mellace   G. Corbini   M. Girolamo   F. Martino   S. Fazio   E. Polito     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To detect copper ion levels, cofactor of lysil oxidase enzyme (LOX), in keratoconus (KC) patients' tears.

Setting:

Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurosciences Siena University, Italy Department of Biotechnology, chemistry and pharmacy Siena University, Italy

Methods:

In this prospective study copper ion levels in the tears of 6 patients with KC (8 eyes), stage I-II according to the Amsler-Krumeich classification, and 5 controls (10 eyes) were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) (AAnalyst 600, Perkin Elmer Waltham, Massachusetts, USA). Visual acuity and Sirius corneal tomography (CSO, Florence, Italy) were measured in each patient.

Results:

A significant increase in copper ion levels in tear fluid was observed in KC patients (388.63 ± 100.28 ng/ml) compared to controls (143.84 ± 73.63 ng/ml) (p-value less than 0,001).

Conclusions:

Copper ion levels in the tear fluid can be considered biomarkers for the diagnosis of KC and guide the discovery of new treatments for KC. Therefore further studies are needed to find their functional role and their association with LOX enzymatic activity.

Financial Disclosure:

None