VEGF-C Aqueous Humor Levels in Patients With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Background/Aim: This study aimed to quantitatively analyze and compare aqueous humor concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) versus non-glaucomatous controls while evaluating potential significant correlations. Patients and Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study. At surgery initiation, anterior chamber paracentesis was performed under sterile conditions, and 50-100 μl of aqueous humor samples were collected. VEGF-C quantification employed a multiplex magnetic bead immunoassay platform. Results: The study involved the collection of aqueous humor samples from 76 participants: 39 samples were collected from the POAG group and 37 from the control group (age-related cataract). Quantitative analysis revealed mean VEGF-C concentrations of 26.41±26.016 pg/ml in POAG eyes compared to 16.70±8.60 pg/ml in controls (p=0.277), demonstrating no statistically significant difference. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed limited prognostic ability for POAG detection (AUC=0.60; p=0.278). Conclusion: This study represents the first large-scale evaluation of aqueous humor VEGF-C levels in patients with POAG. Our results provide evidence against VEGF-C up-regulation in POAG.