Tear Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines in Keratoconus: A Meta-Analysis of Case-Control and Cross-Sectional Studies

Table 3

Methodological quality of case-control study using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.

Study year	Selection				Comparability	Exposure			Total
	Adequacy of case definition	Representativeness of case	Selection of controls	Definition of controls	Comparability of groups	Assessment of exposure	Methods of ascertainment/follow-up	Loss to follow-up/nonresponse rate
Sorkhabi 2015	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	1	7
Lema 2009	1	0	0	1	1	1	1	1	6
Lema 2008	1	0	0	1	1	1	1	1	6
Lema 2005	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	1	7

For each item, star rating: a maximum of one star for each numbered item within the selection and exposure categories. A maximum of two stars can be given for comparability.