Primer Açık-Açılı Glokom ve Eksfoliatif Glokomda Serum Otoantikorlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Glaucoma is a form of progressive chronic optic neuropathy with degeneration of ganglion cells and axons. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether autoantibodies found in serum samples taken from primary open angle glaucoma, exfoliative glaucoma patients and healthy controls were able to bind to rat retinal ganglion cell antigens. Twenty patients with primary open angle glaucoma, 25 patients with exfoliative glaucoma and 20 healthy control subjects included in the study. Serum samples taken from each individual after a detailed ophthalmological examination were incubated with rat retinal sections. Antigen-antibody reactions which occurred immunohistochemically were examined under a fluorescent microscope. Positive staining in retinal ganglion cell layer was detected in 50% of the control group, 10% of the primary open angle glaucoma group and 8% in the exfoliative glaucoma group. When percentage of positive staining in the control group was compared to other groups', the difference was statistically significant (p=0.002). Our findings suggest that protective antibodies or antibodies inhibiting proapoptotic factors which are associated with retinal ganglion cell layer might be reduced in glaucoma patients'sera.