Nitric oxide levels in the anterior chamber of vitrectomized eyes with silicon oil

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the nitric oxide levels in the anterior chamber of eyes who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil. METHODS: Patients who underwent PPV with silicon oil injection, from february 2005 to august 2007, were selected. Nine patients (nine eyes) participated in the study (five women and four men). Nitric oxide concentration was quantified after the aspiration of aqueous humor samples during the procedure of silicon oil removal. Data such as: oil emulsification; presence of oil in the anterior chamber; intraocular pressure and time with silicone oil were evaluated. Values of p <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: A positive correlation between nitric oxide concentration and time with silicon oil in the vitreous cavity (r=0.799) was observed. The nitric oxide concentration was significantly higher (p=0.02) in patients with silicon oil more than 24 months (0.90µmol/ml ± 0.59, n=3) in the vitreous cavity comparing to patients with less than 24 months (0.19µmol/ml ± 0.10, n=6). CONCLUSION: A positive correlation linking silicone oil time in the vitreous cavity with the nitric oxide concentration in the anterior chamber was observed.