In situ oxidative stress in patients with epiretinal membrane.

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

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

Material and methods: 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.

Statistical analysis: 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.

Results: 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.

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