Immunological investigations in chronic simple glaucoma.
Serum immunoglobulins and antinuclear antibodies were estimated in 225 patients, including cases of chronic simple glaucoma, "low tension glaucoma", and ocular hypertension. The results showed that, while the mean levels of immunoglobulins Ig A and Ig M were not significantly higher in patients with glaucoma than a control series of normal adults, the mean level of Ig G was higher in those with chronic simple glaucoma. There was no clear relationship between Ig G levels and the severity of the disease as judged by the visual fields and optic disc changes. Antinuclear antibodies were found in a larger proportion of patients with chronic simple glaucoma and ocular hypertension as compared to the normal population, but there was no correlation with the severity of the disease. The incidence of other non-organ-specific and organ-specific autoantibodies was not significantly different from that of the control group. Although these results suggest an association of raised levels of Ig G and a higher incidence of antinuclear antibodies in patients with glaucoma, the evidence is insufficient to suggest that disorders of the immune system have an aetiological significance in chronic simple glaucoma.
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D014794:Visual Fields
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007136:Immunoglobulins