Study of tear VEGF levels in glaucoma and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

PURPOSE. To study the tear levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in glaucoma and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

METHODS. The study included 44 participants: 7 pregnant women with an uncomplicated physiological pregnancy, 12 patients diagnosed with moderate (8 women) and severe (4 women) preeclampsia, 19 pregnant patients with stage I–II chronic arterial hypertension; the comparison group consisting of 6 patients with advanced primary open-angle glaucoma hospitalized for surgical treatment due to uncompensated intraocular pressure. After standard ophthalmologic and obstetric examinations, tear samples were collected using an original sampling technique for analysis.

RESULTS. Tear VEGF levels were significantly higher in the preeclampsia group, in pregnant women with chronic arterial hypertension, and in patients with glaucoma compared with those with physiological pregnancy. Moreover, the indicator was higher in preeclampsia than in arterial hypertension. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing the preeclampsia and glaucoma groups.

CONCLUSION. Tear VEGF levels are significantly elevated in preeclampsia and glaucoma. Tear VEGF level shows significant differences between physiological pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by chronic arterial hypertension. Investigation of tear VEGF levels appears promising for both ocular and systemic pathology.

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