Levels of Collagen Degradation Products (Telopeptides) in the Tear Film of Patients with Keratoconus

Abstract

PURPOSE: Levels of collagen degradation products (telopeptides) in the tear film of patients with keratoconus were measured to study the release of telopeptides in the tears. METHODS: Tear samples were collected from 26 keratoconus patients and 36 age-similar human control subjects. Levels of telopeptides were quantified and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The telopeptide level in tears from keratoconus patients was 2.5-fold higher than in tears from the control group. The telopeptide concentration was age-dependent in both groups. In tears from young people, telopeptide level was 2-fold higher than in tears from the older people. CONCLUSION: The tear film of patients with keratoconus contains higher levels of telopeptides than those of control subjects. Determination of telopeptide levels in tears could be useful for the follow-up of keratoconus development in patients.