Concentration of transforming growth factor-β₂ in the aqueous humor

We quantitated the total transforming growth factor β₂ (TGF - β₂) in the aqueous humor obtained during cataract surgery. Measurement was made in 96 eyes of 96 patients. Their ages ranged from 17 to 88 years. The series comprised 73 eyes with no eye disease except cataract, 8 eyes under treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma, 10 eyes with diabetic retinopathy, and 5 eyes of atopic cataract. The TGF - β ₂ value decreased along with advance of age. It was low in atopic cataract and was high in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy with past history of panphotocoagulation. Due attention is necessary to the new findings that the total TGF - β₂ value in cataractous eye is influenced by age, atopic cataract, and diabetic retinopathy treated by photocoagulation.