PLASMA LEVELS OF ANGIOGENIC AND ANGIOSTATIC FACTORS AFTER PANRETINAL PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Abstract

Panretinal photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy improves oxygen saturation in the retina which

results in regression of neovascularisation. This study is aimed at evaluating the plasma levels of

angiogenic and angiostatic factors after panretinal photocoagulation for retinopathy. Thirty controls

and 29 proliferative diabetic retinopathy subjects who were advised panretinal photocoagulation

were recruited for the study. Plasma was collected both before and four weeks after the last dose of

the therapy and analysed for angiogenic and angiostatic factors using ELISA technique. The plasma

concentration of HIF-1α and VEGF were significantly decreased after laser therapy compared to

baseline levels. The plasma concentration of MMP-9 and PEDF was increased significantly after

photocoagulation. A significant improvement in the visual acuity was also observed following laser

therapy. Panretinal photocoagulation significantly reduced plasma angiogenic and angiostatic

factors. These factors may be used to assess therapeutic outcomes in proliferative retinopathy