Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify and determine differences in surface tension (ST) of aqueous humor (AH) in patients with cataract, glaucoma and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED). Two hundred and two samples of AH were analyzed (control n = 22; cataract n = 56; glaucoma n = 81; and n = FED 43). Patients with previous history of anterior segment surgery, anterior segment pathology or intraocular injections were excluded from the study. Different types of glaucoma were identified, cataracts were graded using total phaco time data during surgery and clinical severity of FED was assessed by clinical examination. Around 150 microliters AH were obtained during the first step of a surgical procedure, lensectomy, phacoemulsification, nonpenetrating deep sclerotomy (NPDE) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). A pendant drop-based optical goniometer OCA-15 (Dataphysics, Filderstadt, Germany) was used to measure surface tension. Mean ST was 65.74 ± 3.76 mN/m, 63.59 ± 5.50 mN/m, 64.35 ± 6.99 mN/m, and 60.89 ± 3.73 mN/m in control, cataract, glaucoma and FED patients respectively. Statistically significant differences between FED and control group were found (p < 0.001). Lens condition, cataract maturity, age, and gender did not show influence in ST. ST of AH is significantly decreased in FED patients independently from age and lens condition. These findings may aid to the understanding of the physiopathology of the disease.
Highlights
Surface tension (ST) is the elastic tendency of fluids caused by intermolecular attraction forces in the surface layer, which makes them acquire the least surface area possible [1]
Resulting changes in aqueous humor (AH) interfacial properties with potential clinical significance may be expected. Following this line of work, our study aims to address changes in ST of AH in three common anterior segment pathologies: cataract, glaucoma and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED)
We did not find differences between age distribution, gender or lens status. These findings suggest disease related differences between age distribution, gender or lens status. These findings suggest disease related variations in concentration of organic surfactants with a potential role in the physiology of the variations in concentration of organic surfactants with a potential role in the physiology of the disease
Summary
Surface tension (ST) is the elastic tendency of fluids caused by intermolecular attraction forces in the surface layer, which makes them acquire the least surface area possible [1]. ST defines the interfacial properties of a fluid [2]. ST of organic fluids is highly dynamic and closely related to the concentration and the type of surface active compounds. These surfactants, mainly proteins and lipids, are characterised by a high surface protein adsorption activity at low bulk concentrations, drastically affecting fluid interfacial properties. As ST is highly sensitive to even small changes in the type and/or concentration of surfactant constituents, it bears diagnostic potential to detect changes in the lipid and protein profile of body fluids, and their changes in pathological conditions [3]. Many surfactants play a significant role in vital functions of the human organism. Surfactant dependency increased in ST, induces narrowing of alveolar capillaries and oxygen desaturation; this being of crucial clinical relevance in neonatology [4]
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