Abstract

We report a case of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) with endothelial dysfunction where the analysis of tears revealed elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, even in the absence of active inflammation and neovascularisation of the ocular surface. Although the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced inflammation in the occurrence of ocular manifestations of XP is known, little is published on the molecular mechanisms and there are no reports quantifying the presence of inflammatory cytokines in the tears of patients with ocular involvement of XP. Tear analysis demonstrated an increase in inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, especially interleukin-8 (2.38 ng/µg), tumour necrosis factor alpha (0.87 ng/µg) and granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor (0.44 ng/µg) as compared with the control eye. Effective management of the underlying UV-induced inflammation and promoting DNA repair may play a vital role in managing ocular manifestations and its sequelae in patients of XP.