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Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in tears of patients with retinal vein occlusion

  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

We measured vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in tear fluid and serum in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Patients and methods

Eight patients with RVO due to secondary macular oedema were examined. VEGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All patients had a full ophthalmic examination (visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopy, perimetry, and fluorescein angiography). Central retinal thickness (CRT) was examined using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Tear and serum samples were collected and examinations were performed at diagnosis and 1 and 4 weeks later.

Results

VEGF levels in the tears of RVO eyes were significantly higher than in fellow eyes at diagnosis and after both 1 and 4 weeks (paired t test, p1 = 0.01, p2 = 0.02, p3 = 0.006). We found a weak but significant positive correlation between VEGF levels in tear fluid and serum of patients with RVO (r = 0.21), while this correlation tended to be stronger between the fellow eyes and serum levels (r = 0.33).

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report an increased level of VEGF in the tear fluid of patients with RVO. Alterations of VEGF levels in tears may be useful for determining stages of RVO. This non-invasive and objective method may also be helpful for estimating the severity of macular oedema and efficacy of treatment.

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Conflict of Interest

All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus, membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; or expert testimony or patent licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge, or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Centre, Hungarian Defence Forces, 1134, Budapest, Róbert Károly krt. 44, Hungary

    M. Kasza

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary

    Z. Balogh, L. Biro, B. Ujhelyi, J. Damjanovich, A. Csutak, J. Várdai, A. Berta & V. Nagy

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  1. M. Kasza
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  2. Z. Balogh
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  3. L. Biro
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  4. B. Ujhelyi
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  5. J. Damjanovich
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  6. A. Csutak
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  7. J. Várdai
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  8. A. Berta
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  9. V. Nagy
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Correspondence to M. Kasza.

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Kasza, M., Balogh, Z., Biro, L. et al. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in tears of patients with retinal vein occlusion. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 253, 1581–1586 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-015-3030-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-015-3030-2

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