Oxidant/antioxidant balance in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma.

Objective: To evaluate total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and the oxidative stress index (OSI) of the aqueous humor (AH) in patients with glaucoma.

Methods: The prospective study was composed of a study group (n=31) and a control group (n=31). Fifteen patients in the study group were diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and 16 patients were diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG). The control group was composed of non-glaucomatous patients with cataracts. AH samples were collected and analyzed for TAS, TOS, and OSI levels.

Results: Mean AH TAS level was significantly higher in patients with glaucoma than that in the control group (P<0.01). Mean TOS and OSI levels tended to increase in patients with glaucoma. No significant differences in TAS, TOS, or OSI levels were observed between patients with POAG and PEG.

Conclusions: High levels of TAS were observed in patients with glaucoma, which was likely a response to the increased oxidative stress observed in these patients.