Effect of peripheral iridectomy on VEGF-A and TGF-β levels in rabbit aqueous humour

Abstract

Abstract Background Peripheral iridectomy (PI), routinely performed during glaucoma filtration surgery, may contribute to scarring. This study aims to determine whether PI alters the concentrations of VEGF-A and TGF-β isoforms in the rabbit aqueous humour. Methods Anterior chamber paracentesis (ACP) was performed in both eyes of six New Zealand white rabbits, with additional surgical PI performed in the right eyes. Eyes were examined on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 7, 30 and 60 by means of the tonopen, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and bead-based cytokine assays for TGF-β and VEGF-A concentrations in the aqueous humor. Results ACP caused a significant reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) from mean preoperative 11.47 ± 1.01 mmHg to 5.67 ± 1.63 mmHg on POD 1 while PI did not cause further IOP reduction. Limbal conjunctival vasculature appeared slightly increased on POD 1 in both ACP and PI eyes with PI also causing mild bleeding from damaged iris vessels. Two PI eyes developed fibrinous anterior chamber reaction and/ or peripheral anterior synechiae. Aqueous VEGF-A levels were not significantly different between eyes treated with ACP and PI. Aqueous TGF-β concentrations distributed in the ratio of 4:800:1 for TGF-β1:TGF-β2:TGF-β3 respectively. While aqueous TGF-β2 was not significantly induced by either procedure at any time point, TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 were significantly induced above baseline levels by PI on POD 1. Conclusion PI increases the risk of inflammation. The combined induction of aqueous TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 by PI in glaucoma surgery may impact surgery success in glaucoma subtypes sensitive to these isoforms.