Purpose: To assess the relationship of transforming growth factor- ( β β TGF- ) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the aqueous humor of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) patients and the results of Ahmed valve implantation surgery.
Methods: We compared surgical outcomes of NVG patients who underwent Ahmed valve implant surgery from January 2002 through October 2002 at severance hospital with levels of TGF- 1, TGF- 2 and VEGF β β in the aqueous humors of these patients.
Results: Nineteen eyes (19 patients) were analyzed in the study. The success of surgery was defined as intraocular pressure maintained as 6-20 mm Hg regardless of additional glaucoma medications taken. Twelve eyes (63%) satisfied successful surgery. TGF- 1 concentrat β ion was 1.51 ng/ml in the success group and 2.31 ng/ml in the failed group (p=0.295). TGF- 2 concentration wa β s 5.19 ng/ml in the success group and 5.73ng/ml in the failed group (p=0.367). VEGF concentration was 10.21 ng/ml in the success group and 9.87ng/ml in the failed group (p=0.516). All showed no statistical difference between the groups.
Conclusions: In our study, no significant relationship between levels of TGF- 1, TGF- 2, or VEGF in the β β aqueous humor and the surgical outcomes of Ahmed valve implantation were found in patients with NVG.