Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is associated with a low level of the natural ocular anti-angiogenic agent pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in aqueous humor. a pilot study.

Retinopathy is the most common microvascular diabetes complication and represents a major threat to the eyesight. The aim of this study was to address the role of pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules in diabetic retinopathy in the aqueous humor of the eye. Aqueous humor was collected at cataract surgery from 19 diabetic patients and from 13 age- and sex-matched normoglycemic controls.

Low content of the natural ocular anti-angiogenic agent pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in aqueous humor predicts progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Aims/hypothesis: Retinopathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes. Our aim was to address the predictive value of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic markers for progression of retinopathy.

Methods: Aqueous humor was collected at cataract surgery from 32 diabetic patients who had no or very mild retinopathy (ETDRS stage View Article and Find Full Text PDF