RESUMO
To evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] as an indicator of severity in diabetic retinopathy. The study included 120 patients divided equally into 3 groups [proliferative diabetic retinopathy [PDR] group, non proliferative diabetic retinopathy [NPDR] group and non diabetics control group]. Vitreous and blood samples were collected from all patients. VEGF concentrations were determined using enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay and correlated with retinopathy grading. Vitreous concentrations were statistically significant higher than serum concentrations in both retinopathy groups with strong positive correlation [r = 0.927 at p < 0.001 in PDR and r = 0.646 at p < 0.001 in NPDR]. Serum and vitreous VEGF concentrations in diabetics were statistically significant higher than control group [p<0.01]. Both increased with the progression of retinopathy. Very mild NPDR patients had the lowest vitreous concentration [mean = 20.33 ng / ml] but still higher than controls [mean = 4.53 ng / ml]. PDR patients with tractional detachment had the highest vitreous concentration [mean = 225.18 ng / ml]. VEGF concentrations were statistically significant higher in NPDR patients with maculopathy than NPDR patients without maculopathy. There is a strong direct positive correlation between VEGF concentrations and retinopathy grading