Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate VEGF levels in the vitreous of eyes with retained lens fragments.
Methods: :
As part of a prospective interventional study to evaluate cytokine levels in a variety of retinal pathologies, we evaluated data on patients treated with pars plana vitrectomy for retained lens fragments by one surgeon. Vitreous samples collected during surgery were analyzed for VEGF gene expression (by quantitative PCR), and its concentration (using quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique). In addition to fundus exams, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) scans with minimum signal strength of 6/10 acquired within 1 month after surgery were evaluated to determine the presence of macular edema. Patients did not have a history of diabetes or other ocular or systemic diseases known to affect VEGF levels in the vitreous.
Results: :
Complete data could be obtained for 3 eyes of 3 patients. Two eyes had undetectable VEGF protein levels, and one eye had a very high VEGF protein level of 3257 pg/ml. One of the eyes with undetectable VEGF level had macular edema evident on fundus exam and SD OCT. The other eye with undetectable VEGF protein and the eye with elevated VEGF protein levels had no evidence of macular edema detectable on fundus exam or SD OCT within 1 month.
Conclusions: :
Higher VEGF levels do not seem to be correlated with macular edema associated with retained lens fragments within the first month following pars plana vitrectomy.
Keywords: vascular endothelial growth factor • macula/fovea • vitreous