Abstract
Purpose: :
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is the leading cause of failure in retinal detachment surgery. Increased levels of transferrine have been found in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. A relationship between the level of prealbumin and the functional outcome has been previously reported. The purpose of the study was to look for a link between the vitreous levels of these two proteins and post-operative outcome especially the occurrence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
Methods: :
The vitreous samples of patients with epiretinal membrane and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were obtained at the initial phase of surgery without previous intraocular infusion. The levels of transferrine and prealbumin were determined in all cases. The functional (visual acuity) and anatomical outcome (reattachment, OCT mean foveal thickness) was assessed.
Results: :
Retinal detachment surgery has been performed in 15 patients and macular surgery in 20 patients. There was a significant difference between the intravitreal levels in patients treated for retinal detachment (median : transferrine : 151 mg/l, prealbumin : 76 mg/l) and patients undergoing macular surgery (median : transferrine 42 mg/l, prealbumin : 24 mg/l). In a subgroup of patients with retinal detachment and prealbumin levels > 200 mg/l, 2 presented with a recurrence of retinal detachment ; when prealbumin < 200 mg/l (n=10), no recurrence was noted.
Conclusions: :
Increased prealbumin levels in the vitreous seem to correlate with an increased recurrence rate of retinal detachment. The predictive value of prealbumin for the occurrence of postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy in patients undergoing retinal detachment surgery remains to be demonstrated and requires a prospective multicenter study.
Keywords: proliferative vitreoretinopathy • vitreous • retinal detachment