Tear fluid levels of IL-2, IL-12/23p40, IL-12p70, IL-13, IFNα, MIG/CXCL9; ITAC/CXCL11, TGFβ1, EPO, VEGF, angiogenin and NGAL were similarly dysregulated in those KC patients with mild ocular allergy and history of eye rubbing. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is keratoconus.