Association between mediators in the tear fluid and the severity of keratoconus.

Purpose: To study the association between different types of mediators in the tear fluid and topographic indices characterizing the severity of keratoconus (KC).

Methods: In this study, nonstimulated tear fluid samples were collected from 14 eyes of 11 patients with KC. The following indices were measured by corneal topography: maximum K value, average K value, Klyce/Maeda keratoconus index (KCI), Smolek/Klyce keratoconus severity index, opposite sector index, center/surround index, keratoconus prediction index and standard deviation of corneal power.