Tear cytokine profile in medicated glaucoma patients: Effect of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 on early posttrabeculectomy outcome

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the tear cytokine profile from medicated glaucoma patients scheduled for trabeculectomy and to establish whether a specifically elevated cytokine level is related to early postoperative scarring. Design: Prospective case-control study. Participants: Sixty-one patients treated with topical antiglaucoma medications and 29 normal subjects with no prior topical treatment were recruited for the study. Methods: Schirmer strips were used to collect tear samples. A multiplex bead assay was used to quantify the presence of proinflammatory cytokines in the tears. The patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery to determine whether any postoperative intervention to maintain filtering bleb function was required. Main Outcome Measures: The level of cytokines in tear specimens from medicated glaucoma patients was the main outcome measure for the study. The need for postoperative bleb needling within 6 months was a secondary outcome measure. Results: Of the 17 cytokines assayed, only monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) was elevated significantly in the medicated eyes compared with the unmedicated eyes (P