Investigation of subclinical ocular inflammation in the aqueous humor of patients with myopia following bilateral sequential collamer lens implantation

Xiao-Qin Wang; Shi-Jie Zheng; Yong-Guo Xiang; Fan-Fan Huang; Rong-Xi Huang; Wen-Juan Wan; Ke Hu

doi:10.1016/j.trim.2024.102052

Investigation of subclinical ocular inflammation in the aqueous humor of patients with myopia following bilateral sequential collamer lens implantation

Transpl Immunol. 2024 May 24:85:102052. doi: 10.1016/j.trim.2024.102052. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xiao-Qin Wang¹, Shi-Jie Zheng², Yong-Guo Xiang³, Fan-Fan Huang³, Rong-Xi Huang⁴, Wen-Juan Wan⁵, Ke Hu⁶

Affiliations

¹ Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Tongliang District, Chongqing 400000, China.
² Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing Branch (Municipality Division) of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing 400016, China.
³ Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
⁴ Department of Endocrinology, Chongqing People's Hospital, Chongqing 400000, China.
⁵ Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing Branch (Municipality Division) of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing 400016, China. Electronic address: wanwenjuancqums@163.com.
⁶ Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing Branch (Municipality Division) of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing 400016, China. Electronic address: 42222@qq.com.

PMID: 38750973
DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2024.102052

Abstract

Background: The aqueous humor, a transparent fluid secreted by the ciliary body, supports the lens of the eyeball. In this study, we analyzed the cytokine and chemokine profiles within the aqueous humor of the contralateral eye post-implantation of an implantable collamer lens (ICL) to evaluate potential subclinical inflammation in the second eye subsequent to ICL implantation in the first eye.

Methods: Aqueous humor samples were procured from both eyes of 40 patients (totaling 80 eyes) prior to bilateral ICL insertion. Subsequently, a comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted using the Luminex assay to quantify 30 different cytokines in these samples.

Results: Compared to the first eye, the aqueous humor of the second eye demonstrated decreased concentrations of IFN-γ (P = 0.038), IL-13 (P = 0.027), IL-17/IL-17 A (P = 0.012), and IL-4 (P = 0.025). No significant differences were observed in other cytokine levels between the two groups. Patients were then categorized based on the postoperative rise in intraocular pressure (IOP) in the first eye. The group with elevated IOP displayed elevated levels of EGF in the aqueous humor of the first eye (P = 0.013) and higher levels of PDGF-AB/BB in the aqueous humor of the second eye (P = 0.032) compared to the group with normal IOP. Within the elevated IOP group, the levels of EGF (P = 0.013) and IL-17/IL-17 A (P = 0.016) in the aqueous humor were lower in the second eye than in the first eye. In the normal IOP group, cytokine levels did not differ notably between eyes.

Conclusion: Following sequential ICL implantation, it appears that a protective response may be activated to mitigate subclinical inflammation in the second eye induced by the initial implantation in the first eye. Additionally, the increase in IOP subsequent to surgery in the first eye may correlate with the presence of inflammatory mediators in the aqueous humor.

Keywords: Aqueous humor; Implantable collamer lens (ICL); Inflammatory factors; Subclinical inflammation.