Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) is an age related condition, characterized by deposition of whitish flake-shaped material in anterior segment of the eye. Although it occurs all over the world, a considerable racial variation exists. According to the high frequency of PXF in Iran and the importance of prevention and early treatment, in this study we evaluate the plasma level of iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium in patients PXF to have a better concept from the pathogenesis.

In this study, 83 individuals were enrolled. Fourty patients with cataract and pseudoexfoliation as a case group, and 43 age-sex- matched individual with cataract but without PXF as the control group were selected. The serum levels of mentioned microelements were measured in both groups.

In the case group 25(62.5%) male and 15(37.5%) female existed. In the control group it was 22(51.2%) and 21(48.8%), respectively. The mean age of the case group was 66.07+/- 9.46 and that for the control group was 66.88+/-8.04.Regarding the case group, the serum levels of iron, zinc, copper and magnesium were 60.58+/-21.04,84.7+/-14.37,120.23+/-14.43 and 2.11+/-0.23,respectively.These serum levels in the control group were 89.07+/-26.06,97.51+/-17.42,123.33+/-19.01 and 2.14+/-0.16. The serum levels of iron and zinc were statistically significant lower in the case group than the control one (P<0.0001), but not such a difference was detected about copper and magnesium.

: Our study demonstrated that the serum iron and zinc levels were lower in patients suffering from PXF. Our hypothesis is that one of the causes of zonular weakness in these patients can be due to nutritional deficiency because heme is the co-factor for cystathionin beta synthase enzyme which plays a role in the biosynthesis of fibrillin, the major protein in zonular fibers. So, consumption of iron supplements may be an effective strategy to decrease intraoperative complications.