Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University ›› 2023, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (2): 151-158.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1673-3770.0.2021.536

• 综述 • Previous Articles    

Research progress of inflammatory factors in Keratoconus

LI Mengting, HE Shuxi, WANG Hua   

  1. The Optometry Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University/Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China
  • Published:2023-03-30

Abstract: Keratoconus(KC)is a progressive corneal dilation disease, which aggravates myopia and astigmatism. The pathophysiological mechanism of KC remains vague. The role of genetic and inflammatory factors on KC has been investigated by previous studies. Detectable levels of inflammatory factors and proteases were found in the tears of patients with KC. Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were found in the tears of patients with KC. A higher level was positively correlated with the clinical course of KC. In addition, some external factors can indirectly lead to the aggravation of inflammation through certain behaviors, thus accelerating the occurrence and development of KC, such as eye rubbing, allergic reaction, etc. Pathological eye rubbing will change the corneal morphology, change the corneal environment, and cause indirect corneal injury. Immunoglobulin E in allergic reaction is the potential inflammatory molecule of KC. This paper aimed to review previous studies on inflammatory factors and the pathways leading to KC.

Key words: Keratoconus, Inflammatory factor, Oxidative stress, Allergic, Pathological mechanism

CLC Number: 

  • R772.2
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