Role of tear vasoactive intestinal peptide on dry eyes after laser keratorefractive surgery.

Kang Y, Hu Q, Li X, Guo Z, Wu Q, Zhang H

BMC ophthalmology20 Apr 2023Cited by 3 (Europe PMC)

PMID37081425PMCIDPMC10116093DOI10.1186/s12886-023-02857-wPepBankPUB-37081425

Summary

BackgroundTo explore the changes in vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentration in tears post laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) surgeries and related factors, possible association between postoperative dry eye symptoms and VIP concentration in tears, and factors influencing dry eye symptoms after different periods post LASEK and FS-LASIK surgeries.MethodsIn this prospective, non-randomized, longitudinal cohort study, 23 and 22 subjects were recruited and underwent LASEK and FS-LASIK, respectively. After conducting an intact ophthalmic examination and collecting relevant surgical data, all subjects were examined for VIP concentration in their tears using ELISAs, tear-film breakup time, ocular staining and ocular surface disease index questionnaire before surgery and 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month post-surgery.ResultsTear VIP concentration increased significantly after both LASEK and FS-LASIK, with the highest concentration observed 1 week post-surgery (P ≤ 0.05). Tear VIP concentration correlated negatively with corneal ablation depth (AD). The extent of dry eyes was related to the operation method employed and postoperative recovery period. In FS-LASIK and LASEK subjects, dry eyes were mainly affected by the basic ocular surface status before surgery, and VIP concentration. Furthermore, in LASEK subjects, dry eyes were negatively correlated with AD.ConclusionVIP was stimulated and mobilized as an emergency protection post-refractive surgery and a trauma model affected by AD. It can indirectly indicate the inevitable relationship between postoperative dry eye and nerve injury. Elevated post-surgery tear VIP relieves dry eye symptoms, showing its neuroimmune role in regulating adverse injury stimulation. The present study provides a solution to the pathogenesis of postoperative dry eyes.Trial registrationThe trial registration number: 2021JS22. Date of registration: 10 May 2021.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured3

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In people who had LASEK or FS-LASIK, tear VIP concentration rose significantly after surgery, with the highest level 1 week after surgery.
In plain wordsAfter laser eye surgery, the body's own VIP in tears rose, and it was highest 1 week after surgery.
Peptide
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil)
Outcome
IncreaseTear VIP concentration after LASEK and FS-LASIK
Study
n = 45
Comparator
Before surgery
Outcome group
Ocular surface · Eye
Source sentences
Summary
Tear VIP concentration increased significantly after both LASEK and FS-LASIK, with the highest concentration observed 1 week post-surgery (P ≤ 0.05).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this prospective, non-randomized, longitudinal cohort study, 23 and 22 subjects were recruited and underwent LASEK and FS-LASIK, respectively.
This result measures the body's own Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3708142501
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In people who had LASEK or FS-LASIK, tear VIP concentration correlated negatively with corneal ablation depth.
In plain wordsAfter laser eye surgery, lower tear levels of the body's own VIP were linked to deeper corneal ablation.
Peptide
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil)
Outcome
Not applicableTear VIP concentration and corneal ablation depth
Study
n = 45
Outcome group
Ocular surface · Eye
Source sentences
Summary
Tear VIP concentration correlated negatively with corneal ablation depth (AD).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this prospective, non-randomized, longitudinal cohort study, 23 and 22 subjects were recruited and underwent LASEK and FS-LASIK, respectively.
This result measures the body's own Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3708142502
03HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In people who had FS-LASIK or LASEK, dry eyes were mainly affected by the ocular surface status before surgery and by VIP concentration.
In plain wordsAfter laser eye surgery, dry eye was linked to the eye surface before surgery and to the body's own VIP level in tears.
Peptide
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil)
Outcome
Not applicableDry eye and tear VIP concentration
Study
n = 45
Outcome group
Ocular surface · Eye
Source sentences
Summary
In FS-LASIK and LASEK subjects, dry eyes were mainly affected by the basic ocular surface status before surgery, and VIP concentration.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this prospective, non-randomized, longitudinal cohort study, 23 and 22 subjects were recruited and underwent LASEK and FS-LASIK, respectively.
This result measures the body's own Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3708142503

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
9 Oct 2026, 19:08 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 12:40 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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