Purpose

There is increasing evidence suggesting, that nitric oxide may be implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The aim of the study was to evaluate nitric oxide level in aqueous humor of glaucoma patients.

Material and methods

The examined group was constituted by 26 persons (13 women and 13 men), aged 60-86 (mean age 70) suffering from glaucoma. In 14 patients glaucoma was classified as POAG and in 12 as PACG. All patients have undergone trabeculectomia. The 14 patients was operated because of age-related cataract (8 women and 6 men), aged 47-82 (mean age 65), constituted a control group. All patients agreed to samples collection. Level of nitric oxide in anterior chamber fluid was assessed using commercial kits based on Griess reaction (R&D) according to manufacturer's instruction. Statistical analysis was performed using U Mann-Whitney test.

Results

The mean level of nitric oxide in aqueous humor was not significantly different between glaucoma and cataract group (p=0,535). The level of NO in humor aqueous was statistically significantly lower in patients with primary open angle glaucoma than in patients with primary angle closure (p=0,022), and than in control group (p=0,053). No statistically significant differences in the level of nitric oxide in humor aqueous between PACG and cataract patients were observed (p=0,365).