Transthyretin levels in the vitreous correlate with change in visual acuity after vitrectomy

E van Aken, E A De Letter, M Veckeneer, L Derycke, T van Enschot, I Geers, S Delanghe, J R Delanghe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Little is known about biochemical markers related to change in visual acuity after vitrectomy. The potential use of transthyretin (TTR), a carrier of the retinol/retinol-binding protein, as a biochemical marker protein, was investigated.

METHODS: TTR was measured using immunonephelometry in a group of patients (n = 77) in longstanding (>1 week) retinal detachment (n = 29), fresh (<1 week) retinal detachment (n = 17), macular holes (n = 20) or diabetic retinopathy (n = 11). Vitreous samples were taken at the start of every vitrectomy procedure. For reference values, cadaver specimens (n = 73) were used.

RESULTS: Reference values for vitreous TTR (median 18 mg/l; IQR 4 to 24 mg/l) comprised 2.2% of reference values for vitreous protein levels (median 538 mg/l; IQR 269 to 987 mg/l). Vitreous TTR values of patients were comparable in all disorders. Vitreous TTR values were higher in phakic (median 22.5 mg/l; IQR 10 to 27 mg/l) than in pseudophakic patients (median 12 mg/l; IQR 8 to 19 mg/l; p = 0.06). Postoperative change in visual acuity correlated well with vitreous TTR values found peroperatively (r(s) = 0.408; p = 0.012). Both change in visual acuity and lens status were the only variables which proved to explain the variance of TTR (multiple correlation coefficient: 0.494; phakic status: t = 2.767; p = 0.0084; and change in visual acuity t = 2.924: p = 0.0056).

CONCLUSION: Vitreous fluid concentrations of TTR can be regarded as a biochemical marker for retinal function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1539-45
Number of pages7
JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume93
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2009

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers/metabolism
  • Cadaver
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Diabetic Retinopathy/physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications/diagnosis
  • Prealbumin/metabolism
  • Reference Values
  • Retinal Detachment/physiopathology
  • Retinal Perforations/physiopathology
  • Vision Disorders/diagnosis
  • Visual Acuity/physiology
  • Vitrectomy
  • Vitreous Body/metabolism
  • Young Adult

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transthyretin levels in the vitreous correlate with change in visual acuity after vitrectomy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this