To See or Not to See: A Systematic Review of the Importance of Human Ocular Surface Cytokine Biosignatures in Ocular Allergy

Cytokines are key cell signalling proteins in a number of immune and homeostatic pathways of the human body. In particular, they mediate intracellular mechanisms of allergy on the ocular surface by triggering cellular responses that result in typical physiological ocular allergy symptoms, such as itchiness, watery eyes, irritation, and swelling. Given the recent research focus in optometry on the aetiology of corneal ectasia subtypes like keratoconus, there is an increasing need for the development of new clinical diagnostic methods. An increasing trend is evident among recent publications in cytokine studies, whereby the concentrations of cytokines in healthy and disease states are compared to derive a specific cytokine profile for that disease referred to as ‘biosignatures’. Biosignatures have diagnostic applications in ocular allergy as a cheap, non-invasive alternative to current techniques like IgE antibody testing and skin prick tests. Cytokine detection from tear samples collected via microcapillary flow can be analysed either by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), multiplex magnetic bead assays, or immunoblot assays. Characterising patient hypersensitivities through diagnostic tests is the first step to managing exposure to triggers. Investigating cytokine biosignatures in ocular allergy and their links to physiology are imperative and will be the focus of this systematic review article.