Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of inflammatory molecules in the aqueous humour and on the ocular surface on the outcome of glaucoma surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients who needed antiglaucomatous surgery were included. The interleukin- (IL-) 8, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) alpha; and IL-12 were determined from aqueous humour preoperatively and the imprints of conjunctiva were analysed for expression of human leukocyte antigen- (HLA-)-DR after surgery by flow cytometry. The success of trabeculectomy was defined as intraocular pressure less than 21 mmHg without antiglaucoma medication. RESULTS: Eyes with trabeculectomy failure at 3 months showed significantly higher TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the aqueous than eyes with successful surgery. Increased expression of HLA-DR on epithelial cells and antigen-presenting cells was not associated with the trabeculectomy outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Higher preoperative levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in aqueous humour may contribute to the development of inflammatory milieu and were associated with worse outcome of glaucoma surgery.