Aqueous humor and plasma vascular endothelial growth factor in uveitis-associated cystoid macular edema

PURPOSE: To determine the association between cystoid macular edema and vas cular endothelial growth factor concentration in the aqueous humor and plas ma of uveitis patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Vascular endothelial growth factor concentr ations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the aqueous hu mor of 20 uveitis patients (9 with and 11 without cystoid macular edema), a nd in the plasma of 40 uveitis patients (20 with and 20 without cystoid mac ular edema) and 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Mean aqueous humor vascular endothelial growth factor concentratio ns for uveitis patients with and without cystoid macular edema were 152.3 a nd 109.5 pg/ml, respectively, P = .044. Mean plasma vascular endothelial gr owth factor concentrations in uveitis patients with and without cystoid mac ular edema and in healthy volunteers were 32.2, 29.6, and 55.0 pg/ml, respe ctively. Uveitis patients had lower plasma vascular endothelial growth fact or levels than did healthy volunteers, P = .0002 CONCLUSION: In uveitis patients, vascular endothelial growth factor concent ration is increased in the aqueous humor of eyes with cystoid macular edema . It may be useful to investigate vascular endothelial growth factor antago nists as a treatment for uveitis-associated cystoid macular edema. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.