Comparative study of brain magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with low-tension glaucoma and control subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the presence of central nervous system degeneration in patients with low-tension glaucoma using magnetic resonance imaging.


METHODS
Ten patients with low-tension glaucoma and ten age-matched control subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical atrophy and cerebral infarcts were graded from "0" (normal) to "3," which was done subjectively by two neuroradiologists independently in a masked fashion. Midsagittal corpus callosum section was evaluated by measuring the thickness and cross-sectional area.


RESULTS
There was a significantly greater extent of cerebral infarcts in the patients with low-tension glaucoma (P = 0.02). The thickness of the body (P = 0.03) and genu (P = 0.04) of the corpus callosum were thinner in the patients with low-tension glaucoma. The corpus callosum cross-sectional area was smaller in the low-tension glaucoma group (P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in the other parameters in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests a greater extent of cerebral infarcts and corpus callosum atrophy in patients with low-tension glaucoma. This may imply a greater degree of neuronal degeneration, possibly on an ischemic basis in low-tension glaucoma.
Ong
K
K
Glaucoma Unit, Sydney Eye Hospital, Australia.
Farinelli
A
A
Billson
F
F
Houang
M
M
Stern
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014792:Visual Acuity