In situ oxidative stress in patients with epiretinal membrane

Oxidative stress is an important factor for vitreomacular interface disease development in a theoretical model.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between oxidative stress in the human epiretinal membrane (ERM) and retinal morphological changes.

The study included patients scheduled for vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane removal. LogMAR best corrected visual acuity was assessed and optical coherence tomography was performed. Patients were divided into three groups: Type 1 - epiretinal membrane with premacular fibrosis; type 2 - epiretinal membrane with co-existing layer hole; and type 3 - ERM with co-existing full-thickness macular hole. During vitrectomy, epiretinal membranes were collected. Total oxidant status was determined by an automated colorimetric method in homogenates of epiretinal membrane.

The Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman linear correlation analysis were used. Statistical significance was set with a level of α = 0.05.

Twenty-one Caucasian women (60%) and 14 men (40%) were included in the study. The average age of participants was 74.7 years (95% CI: 71.13-75.45). The mean best corrected visual acuity LogMAR value in the group was 0.8 (95% CI: 0.9-0.7). The mean ratio of total oxidant status to protein level in the collected samples was 0.161 (95% CI: 0.08-0.23) µmol/mg of protein. No correlation was found between total oxidant status and the degree of morphological retinal changes.

The study found no significant correlation between the level of oxidative stress in epiretinal membrane and retinal morphological changes.