TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA-2 LEVELS INCREASE FOLLOWING RETINAL LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION

To determine if the levels of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) in ocular tissues change following laser photocoagulation, pigmented rabbit eyes undervent panretinal photocoagulation using laser indirect ophthalmoscopy. The rabbits were followed for a period of either 2 or 14 days after the procedure. The eyes were then removed and samples of vitreous and aqueous humor were collected. TGF-beta 2 levels were measured using an immunoassay. When compared to control eyes, TGF-beta 2 levels in the vitreous humor of treated eyes at day 2 and day 14 were increased. Changes in TGF-beta 2 levels were also seen in the aqueous humor of the treated eyes, with increased levels seen at day 2 and day 14 compared to control eyes. The increase in both vitreous and aqueous humor in treated eyes compared to control eyes was shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Our results show that intraocular TGF-beta 2 levels increase significantly following laser photocoagulation. This preliminary study suggests that TGF-beta 2 may be involved in the process of chorioretinal wound healing.