Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein levels in subretinal fluid from rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and retinopathy of prematurity
D. A. Newsome, G. J. Chader, B. Wiggert, J. H. Yeo, R. B. Welch, P. A. Blacharski and S. T. Charles
Lions Eye Research Laboratories, LSU Eye Center, New Orleans, LA 70112.
Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) has been detected
qualitatively in subretinal fluid associated with rhegmatogenous retinal
detachments. We have used a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
to determine the IRBP concentrations in 24 fluid specimens collected at
retinal reattachment surgery from 22 patients, and from 17 patients who
underwent surgery for retinopathy of prematurity with traction detachment.
We observed a wide range of concentrations (1 to 176 micrograms of IRBP per
milligram of protein). Higher concentrations were found only in fluid from
the more recent rhegmatogenous detachments. The lowest concentrations were
detected among fluids drained from under rhegmatogenous detachments ranging
from five days' to one year's duration. The IRBP concentration in
subretinal fluid showed no correlation with visual outcome and may be
influenced by IRBP turnover in the vitreous cavity. Most strikingly, none
of the 17 samples from patients with retinopathy of prematurity contained
detectable amounts of IRBP.
