VEGF and PEDF Levels in Subretinal Fluid Following Retinal Detachment

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: PEDF and VEGF are counter–balancing factors that control angiogenesis. In eyes with diabetic retinopathy, the balance between these factors is disturbed which probably leads to neovascularization. The balance between these two factors during retinal detachment has not yet been studied and was therefore the purpose of our study. Methods: Subretinal fluids were collected prospectively from 123 patients during scleral buckling retinal detachment surgery. Controls included 15 vitreous samples from patients with macular hole or pucker. Vitreous from nine proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) affected eyes were included as a positive control for changes in PEDF and VEGF ratios. PEDF and VEGF content was measured using commercially available ELISA kits. In several cases only one factor was analyzed due to limited sample volume. Results: The median concentration of PEDF in retinal detachment eyes was higher (8913 ng/ml) as compared to controls (0.49 ng/ml; p<0.001) or eyes with PDR (194 ng/ml; p = 0.058). The median concentration of VEGF in retinal detachment eyes was higher (71 pg/ml) as compared to controls (7.5 pg/ml; p = 0.005), but lower than the levels in PDR eyes (960 pg/ml; p = 0.001). Conclusions: The balance between VEGF and PEDF in eyes with retinal detachment is shifted in favour of angiogenesis control, when compared to eyes with PDR. This may explain the absence of neovascularization following retinal detachment.

Keywords: retinal detachment • growth factors/growth factor receptors • vitreous