Effects of zinc and copper metabolism in highly myopic patients.

There is considerable evidence supporting a link between abnormalities in zinc and copper metabolism and some disorders of the retinal pigment epithelium. Anatomical studies in highly myopic eyes show important changes in this retinal layer. We measured the blood concentrations of zinc and copper and the urine concentration of copper in different groups of highly myopic patients from Caucasian and African populations, and in highly myopic patients with retinal detachment. In the Caucasian myopic groups, many patients showed high levels of zinc and low levels of copper in serum. In the high myopic group with retinal detachment, serum zinc and copper concentrations were significantly elevated. The importance of our findings and their connection to the retinal pigment epithelium is discussed.