Levels of zinc, iron, and copper in patients with pseudoexfoliative cataract.

PURPOSE: To investigate the aqueous humor, lens, and serum concentrations of zinc, iron, and copper in patients with pseudoexfoliative cataract and compare with patients who have senile cataract without pseudoexfoliation.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with pseudoexfoliative cataract and 25 patients with senile cataract as control group were enrolled in the study. Samples from aqueous humor, serum, and lens materials during extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) were collected from all patients. The levels of selected trace elements in three samples in all groups were assayed with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and statistical analyses were performed with t-test for independent samples except lens zinc and serum copper levels. The data weren't normally distributed, therefore Mann-Whitney U test applied for these parameters.

RESULTS

The zinc and copper levels in aqueous humor of PEX group were significantly higher than those of control group (p<0.001). The iron levels in aqueous humor were not significantly different in PEX group and control group (p=0.252). The copper content of lenses was significantly increased in PEX group compared to control group (p=0.029). The iron and zinc content of lenses had no significant differences between the two groups (p=0.248, p=0.719, respectively). The levels of iron and copper in serum were significantly increased in PEX group compared to control group (p<0.001 and p<0.002, respectively). The zinc level in serum had no significant differences between the two groups (p=0.823, p=0.472, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Zinc, iron, and especially copper may play a role in PEX syndrome.