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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2014 pp 507-513

Research Article

Comparative study of serum and aqueous humour electrolyte levels in cataract patients

Tasneem A F¹, Shwetha B A², Mamata N³

¹Professor, ²Assistant Professor, ³Post Graduate, Department of Ophthalmology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre Bangalore, Karnataka, INDIA.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: There are about 50 million blind people in the world, a third of them being due to cataract. In India alone, cataract accounts for 80% of treatable blindness. Many factors such as ageing, altered blood electrolyte levels, nutrition and family history are involved in cataractogenesis. Aim: Comparative study of serum and aqueous humour levels in cataract patients. Objectives are to compare serum Na+, K+, Ca+2 and PO4 -3 levels with that of aqueous humour levels in patients with cataract and to establish a correlation between altered serum and aqueous humour electrolyte levels with the type of cataract. Methods: The study undertaken includes a total of one hundred cataract patients who visited VIMS and RC, White field, Bangalore between January 2012 and June 2013. It considered cataract patients of both sexes above the age of 40 years and excluded patients with any systemic disease, past ocular disease, or any drug intake known to cause electrolyte changes in the body. The patients were all routinely subjected to a detailed ocular examination including visual acuity, slit lamp examination to stage the type of cataract, fundoscopy, intraocular pressure recording. Serum and aqueous humour samples were collected intraoperatively in cataract patients and sent for Na+, K+, Ca+2 and PO4 -3 level measurement by Beckman Coulter Unicel DxC 600 and Synchron CX5PRO.The serum and aqueous humour electrolyte levels were compared with each other. Results: The aqueous humour, though a secretion of serum; shows a considerable difference in the electrolyte levels as compare to serum which is statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Aqueous sodium levels as compared to serum sodium levels were higher in patients with cataract. Aqueous potassium, calcium, phosphate levels were low compared to serum levels. Aqueous levels of potassium in cataract patients (50 % of cases) were raised when compared to normal aqueous levels.