Comparative analysis of local cytokine profile and corneal regenerator process after LASIK and Femto-LASIK surgery

Abstract

Introduction. The existing data in the scientific literature on the role of cytokines as a special biological system, a function of which is the local regulation of regeneration, justifies the relevance of research task in this direction.Purpose: to study changes of the cytokines concentration in the lacrimal fluid in patients after excimer laser vision correction with LASIK and Femto-LASIK surgery and its correlation with postoperative patients’ parameters.Methods. The study included 20 patients (40 eyes) with mild myopia and compound myopic astigmatism. The prospective study was carried out in January-August 2022. The patients were divided into 2 groups. In the comparison group (n = 10, 20 eyes) patients underwent LASIK surgery, in the main one (n = 10, 20 eyes) – Femto-LASIK. During the study, the tear fluid was taken and its further biochemical study was carried out to determine the level of cytokines: IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α.Results. In the main group, frequency detection of the cytokine IL-1β that is the main pro-inflammatory agent was 80%. In the comparison group it was detected in 90% of the tear fluid samples. Mean IL-1β values were the highest in the comparison LASIK group. Mean TNF-α scores were the highest in the comparison LASIK group. In the same time, differences of the average values between the main and comparison groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Mean IL-8 values were the highest in the main group who underwent Femto-LASIK surgery.Conclusion. The course of regenerative process in patients after excimer laser vision correction depends on concentration of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-8. Based on this, a higher level of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lacrimal fluid determines the prolongation of pain relief and epithelialization after surgery.