Level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Vitreous Fluid of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Patients and Prognosis after Vitrectomy

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level and prognosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: The study involved 136 eyes of 114 PDR patients who underwent an initial vitrectomy between 2006 and 2008. Intravitreal VEGF levels were determined using Bio-Plex® (Bio-Rad), with levels of 5,000 pg/mL or more classified as high-VEGF (45 eyes) and levels lower than 5,000 pg/mL as low-VEGF (91 eyes). Diabetic control, PDR severity, and frequency of postoperative complications were compared between the groups. Results: There was no significant difference in preoperative status between the groups. In the low-VEGF group, a reoperation was required due to postoperative complications in 2 eyes (2.2%); 1 with vitreous hemorrhage (VH) and 1 with retinal detachment (RD). In contrast, a reoperation was required in 8 eyes (17.8%) in the high-VEGF group; 3 with VH, 2 with RD, and 3 with neovascular glaucoma. The difference between the groups was significant. There was a statistically lower postoperative corrected visual acuity logMAR (6 months after surgery) in the high-VEGF than in the low-VEGF group (p = 0.02, unpaired t test). Conclusion: Current findings indicate that careful observation is needed in patients with elevated VEGF levels.