Increased Uric Acid and Glucose Concentrations in Vitreous and Serum of Patients with Diabetic Macular Oedema

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by blood-retina barrier breakdown induced by local changes in the retina and systemic factors. We investigated vitreous and serum levels of glucose and uric acid (UA) in patients with DR and aimed to describe their correlation with the grade of DR. Methods: Prospective study of 81 patients with DR and 48 non-diabetic controls. Biochemical analysis of vitreous and serum samples was performed. Results: UA and glucose concentrations in vitreous and serum were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls. Absolute ratios (vitreous level/serum level) of UA and glucose were higher in proliferative compared with non-proliferative DR. Conclusions: The results suggest that, apart from glucose, increased levels of UA in diabetic patients may also be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of DR.