Posters

Prospective analysis of association of eye rubbing and MMP-9 positivity in patients with newly diagnosed keratoconus presenting for refractive surgery

Poster Details

First Author: S.Mohan INDIA

Co Author(s):    M. Rajan   M. Rajarajan                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate association of eye rubbing and expression of MMP9 in the tear film of newly diagnosed keratoconus as potential risk factors for keratoconus.

Setting:

Study Design - Prospective Interventional Case Control Study Study Period - 6 Months Duration Study Place - Rajan Eye Care Hospital, Chennai. Sample : 120

Methods:

This is a prospective interventional case control study comparing 60 newly diagnosed keratoconus patients with other 60 non keratoconus patients who had also come for refractive surgery. For every one a Meticulous History, clinical examination-BCVA, Retinoscopy, Slit lamp biomicroscopy, MMP- 9 estimation with Inflamma Package Insert, topography and Pentacam were done.

Results:

Sample of 60 subjects with keratoconus included 22 males and 38 females, with a mean age of 22(range 12 to 36). The control sample of 60 non-Keratoconic subjects comprised 26 males and 34 females for whom the mean age was 20 years (range 18 to 30 years). The eye rubbing rate was significantly higher in keratoconus group vs control non keratoconus group(76.6%[46/60] vs 46.6%[28/60]). The history of atopy was more in keratoconus subjects(73.3%[44/60]). MMP-9 was found to be +ve in 75%(45/60) keratoconus patients. Patients having inflammatory marker +ve in tear film were put on appropriate anti-inflammatory therapy.

Conclusions:

The non-invasive way of collecting the tears makes it an optimal biological fluid to study with minimal discomfort to the patient. Identification of inflammatory markers therefore, has paramount importance in Keratoconus patients, so that effective intervention can be done to improve the quality of life of the keratoconus patients in the coming years.

Financial Disclosure:

None