Vitreous and subretinal VEGF levels in fresh rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Abstract

PurposeTo explore the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vitreous and subretinal fluid in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.MethodsOverall 16 eyes of 16 patients (mean age, 49) with fresh rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were included into this study. There was no systemic or ocular disease other than the retinal detachment that might contribute to results in the patients. Vitreous samples (n = 9) were obtained during pars plana vitrectomy whereas subretinal fluid samples (n = 7) were obtained via external drainage during encircling sclera buckle surgery. Serum and vitreous VEGF levels were analyzed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Total vitreous or subretinal fluid proteins and total serum proteins were also measured. Mann–Whitney U and Spearman correlation tests were performed to compare the VEGF concentrations.ResultsMedian VEGF level was found higher in subretinal fluid when compared to vitreous (545.80 pg/ml vs. 106.08 pg/ml, p = 0.05). The difference was still significant after adjusting the results with total protein (p = 0.05). Subretinal fluid VEGF level was similar to serum VEGF level (410.30 pg/ml) in buckling group (p = 0.95) while serum VEGF level (221.20 pg/ml) was significantly higher than that of vitreous in vitrectomy group (p = 0.019). There was no correlation between serum and subretinal VEGF (p > 0.05) or serum and vitreous VEGF levels (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe retinal pigment epithelium is the major source of VEGF in the eye. The current study confirmed that VEGF level in subretinal fluid is higher than that of in the vitreous in eyes with fresh retinal detachment, most probably due to the retinal pigment epithelium is in closer vicinity to the subretinal fluid, compared to vitreous humor.AcknowledgementThis project was supported by Marmara University, Scientific Research Projects Committee.