[Levels of antiphospholipid antibodies in the serum and aqueous humor of glaucoma patients].

PURPOSE: Evaluation of antiphospholipid antibodies in the serum and aqueous humor in patients with glaucoma.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

48 persons (38 women and 17 men), aged 30-86 (mean age 70), suffering from glaucoma was examined. There were 19 with POAG, 18 with PACG and 11 with PEXG. All patients have undergone trabeculectomia. The group of 20 operated, because of age-related cataracta patients (7 men and 13 women), aged 47-82 (mean age 65) constituted a control group. All patients agreed to samples collection. In plasma and anterior chamber fluid the level of antiphospholipids antibodies classes IgM and IgG were measured, using ELISA method (commercial kits produced by Euroimmun) according to producent's instruction. Statistical analysis was performed using U Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS

The mean values of antiphospholipids in both group are put in the table. The significant differences between glaucoma and no-glaucoma patients were observed in levels of IgG in serum (p=0.014) and in levels of IgM antibodies in aqueous humor (p=0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies in aqueous humor and serum may be a risk factor in progression of glaucomatous neuropathy.