Purpose To evaluate the interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) concentrations in aqueous humour in patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Methods In 27 eyes of 27 patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (femto group), aqueous humour of 100 μL was collected after laser treatment. In 15 eyes of 15 subjects undergoing routine cataract surgery (control group), aqueous humour of 100 μL was also collected. The IL-1β, IL-6 and Prostaglandin E₂ (Human Interleukin 1β, Interleukin 6 and Prostaglandin E₂ ELISA Kits, Bio-Swamp Life Science) were used to determine the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE₂ in the aqueous humour. All patients were treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prior to surgery.

Results For IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE₂, respectively, the mean concentration values in aqueous humour were 25.6, 24.6 and 64.2 pg/mL in the femto group, and 17.1, 15.2 and 45.7 pg/mL in the control group (table 2). Concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE₂ were significantly higher in the femto group than those in the control group (all p<0.01). There were no significant correlations between concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6 or PGE₂ and age, cataract densities, suction time or laser time (all p>0.05).

Conclusions Inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE₂ significantly increased after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, which maybe the cause of intraoperative miosis seen in these patients.