Comparative characteristics of melatonin content in lacrimal fluid and blood serum depending on the stage of senile cataract with age-related macular degeneration

The purpose of the study is to evaluate factors affecting concentration of melatonin in the tear and blood serum in patients with a non-exudative form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Material and Methods. 140 patients (140 eyes) were examined, of which 52% were women, 48% were men. The following groups of patients were formed: 1) patients with non-exudative AMD and senile cataract who took melatonin; 2) patients with non-exudative AMD and senile cataract who did not take melatonin; 3) without AMD and cataract; 4) patients with non-exudative AMD, not requiring surgical treatment of cataract; 5) patients with neovascular (exudative) form of AMD (nAMD). The melatonin content was determined using immunosorbent assay. Results. The content of melatonin in all examined patients' serum ranged from 0.001 to 0.161 ng/ml, the highest median of melatonin values was observed in healthy individuals (0.125 ng/ml), and the lowest in patients with nAMD (0.021 ng/ml). The level of melatonin in the tear varies from 0.067 to 0.477 ng/ml, while its highest median was found in group 1 patients: 0.324 ng/ml. In group 2 and reference groups (without cataract with AMD and with nAMD), the melatonin content in the tear was significantly reduced (p function show_eabstract() { $('#eabstract1').hide(); $('#eabstract2').show(); $('#eabstract_expand').hide(); }