Search

Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with normal-tension glaucoma and the effect of the cardiovascular findings on the progression of the glaucoma. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 80 eyes of 40 normal-tension glaucoma patients (25 women, 15 men) with typical glaucomatous optic disc and/or visual field changes and no recorded intraocular pressure >21 mmHg, who were treated with topical medications, were reviewed. Normal-tension glaucoma progression was defined by either structural (optic disc or retinal nerve fibre layer) or functional (visual field) deterioration. Results: The average follow-up period was 5.1±4.06 years, and 15 of 40 patients (37.5%) showed the normal-tension glaucoma progression. There were 25 stable patients (62.5%). Mean intraocular pressure measured higher in the progressed patients (14.53±3.27 mmHg) than stable patients (14.18±2.94 mmHg), but it was not statistically different between the groups (p=0.638). The disc size was bigger in progressed patients (2.16±0.25 μm) than stable patients (1.99±0.39 μm), (p=0.05). The age, central corneal thickness, visual field examination findings and the mean retinal nerve fiber layer at the initial examination were similar between progressed and stable patients (p>0.05). The diastolic fluctuations in progressed patients was higher than stable group (p=0.041) and progressed patients' diastolic blood pressure measures at night were lower than stable patients (p=0.032). Conclusion: Despite relatively similar intraocular pressure and visual field examination findings between progressed and stable patients, cardiovascular systemic examination should be kept in mind in the cases with normal-tension glaucoma when especially progression of the disease occur in their follow ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between 30.2 standard perimetry and Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph (HRT) in eyes with normal tension glaucoma suspect. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine eyes of 15 patients with intraocular pressure of less than 21 mmHg, with gonio- scopically open anterior chamber angle, and signs of a glaucomatous optic disc were retrospectively evaluated in our institution glaucoma department. Intraocular pressure measurements with Goldmann applanation tonometry, standard 30.2 perimetry measurements with Humphrey and HRT measurements were recorded. Pearson correlation test was used in statistical analysis. Results: Mean age was 46.1±14.8 years (range, 35 to 66 years). Eleven patients were women and 4 were men. There was a significant correlation between pattern standard deviation (PSD) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), retinal nerve fiber layer cross sectional area (RNFLCSA) and glaucoma hemifield tests (GHT) (p=0.006, p=0.02, p=0.001, respectively). There was a significant correlation between GHT and RNFL and Moorfields regression analysis (p=0.012 and p=0.045). Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between PSD and GHT parameters in visual field and some parameters in HRT. HRT measurements might be useful in determining the early defects and in eyes with cooperation problems in performing visual field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]