Tear fluid gelatinase B activity correlates with IL-1alpha concentration and fluorescein clearance in ocular rosacea.

Gelatinase B (MMP-9) activity is greater in patients with ocular rosacea than in normal eyes. The majority of this activity is due to 92-kDa proform of this enzyme. This activity is correlated with delayed tear clearance and tear fluid concentration of interleukin-1alpha, a proinflammatory cytokine that has been reported to stimulate gelatinase B production. Elevated gelatinase B activity in ocular rosacea may be involved in the pathogenesis of the irritation symptoms, recurrent epithelial erosions, vascularization, and epithelial basement membrane dystrophy that develops in the corneas of patients with this condition.