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Study links bilateral normal-tension glaucoma to diabetes, high IOP and other factors
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50(3):1215-1220.
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Disease severity in the first affected eye and the presence of key systemic risk factors correlated with bilateral normal-tension glaucoma in a study.
Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is more vulnerable to non-IOP factors, particularly vascular factors, than high-tension glaucoma, the study authors said.
“These data suggest that systemic vascular factors and IOP play significant roles in the pathogenesis of NTG,” they said. “It appears that although systemic vascular factors increase the susceptibility of the optic nerve, a certain level of pressure-induced stress is also required to cause glaucomatous optic neuropathy.”
The study included 387 patients (193 with unilateral NTG and 194 with bilateral NTG). Investigators assessed risk factors for bilateral NTG, such as age, gender, central corneal thickness and perimetry, IOP, family history, diabetes, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.
Data showed that disease severity of the first affected eye, diabetes, previous cerebrovascular accident and mean IOP of more than 14 mm Hg in both eyes were closely connected with the rate of bilateral NTG, the authors said.