The activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the humor aquosus of patients with the primary open-angle glaucoma

Glaucoma is an optical neuropathy characterized by the excavation of optic disc, visual field defects and, in most cases, higher intraocular pressure. In the pathogenesis of the primary open-angle glaucoma a significant role is given to oxidative stress. The goal of this study is to determine the activity of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD and glutathione peroxidase, GPX) in humor aquosus in patients with the primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and in patients with the primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG - control group) before and after the therapy with exogenous antioxidants. The activity of the examined enzymes in humor aquosus of patients with POAG is significantly higher than in humor aquosus of patients with PACG (p<0.001). The exogenous antioxidants diminish the concentration of free radicals resulting in a decrease of antioxidative enzyme activities and point to their possible use in glaucoma therapy (as a complementary).