Comparison of Plasma C- Reactive Protein Levels in Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) Glaucoma with Normal Population

Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) glaucoma is a senile disease which affects anterior segment structures of eyes. Pseudoexfoliation material has also been found in heart, lung, liver, gall bladder, cerebral meninges, skin, and blood vessels and is thought to be a systemic disorder. C- reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant found to be an important and sensitive marker of systemic inflammatory states and disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma C- reactive protein levels in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and compare with normal population.

This case controlled study was performed on 73 cases that referred to Farabi eye hospital in Tehran. Patients were divided into two groups: 39 cases PXF glaucoma without any other ocular and systemic disorder and 34 controls, with no evidence of PXF glaucoma. In both groups, patients with blood pressure, CNS and cardiovascular diseases were excluded. Plasma CRP levels of all the study participants were determined and compared.

The mean age was 68.4±6.4 years in case group and was 65.3±7.2 years in control group. The mean plasma CRP level in patients was 1.85±2.52 and in normal people was 1.66±1.64. Plasma CPR levels were not different in the PXF cases with controls. There was no relationship between CRP level and the disease in male and female groups in different ages.

Our findings suggest that PXF may not be associated with plasma CRP levels and inflammatory causes of PXF glaucoma is debate.