Aqueous soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 in macular edema with branch retinal vein occlusion

The aqueous humor level of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFR)-2 may influence macular edema in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The association of sVEGFR-2 with macular edema was investigated in this study.

A retrospective case-controlled study was performed in 22 patients with BRVO and macular edema, as well as 5 patients with non-ischemic ocular diseases as the control group. The severity of macular edema was examined by optical coherence tomography. Aqueous humor samples were obtained during intravitreous injection of anti-VEGF agents, triamcinolone acetonide, or combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery. sVEGFR-2 levels in aqueous humor were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The aqueous humor level of sVEGFR-2 (median: 124.5 ng/ml) was significantly elevated in BRVO patients compared with the control group (78.1 pg/ml) (p = 0.010). In addition, the sVEGFR-2 level was correlated with the severity of macular edema (p = 0.033).

sVEGFR-2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of macular edema associated with BRVO. Measurement of aqueous humor sVEGFR-2 levels may be helpful for understanding the disease status in BRVO patients with macular edema.