[Aqueous humor protein concentration in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma under clinical treatment]

To compare total protein concentration in the aqueous humor of primary open-angle glaucoma and non-glaucomatous patients.

Aqueous humor samples were obtained from 22 patients just before trabeculectomy for clinically uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma (POAG group). Aqueous humor (0.1 mL) was aspirated by inserting a 26-gauge needle into the anterior chamber. The same procedure was performed in 22 non-glaucomatous patients just before cataract surgery (control group). Immediately after collection, the aqueous humor was stored at -20 degrees C. Aqueous humor total protein concentration was determined using a colorimetric assay.

The geometric mean of total protein concentration of the aqueous humor samples was 32 mg/dL (range: 8-137 mg/dL) in the primary open angle glaucoma group and 16 mg/dL (range: 2-85 mg/dL) in the control group. The ratio of the protein concentration between the two groups was 2.0 (95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 3.2; p=0.003).

The total protein concentration in primary open-angle glaucoma aqueous humor was approximately two times higher than that in non-glaucomatous subjects.