Effects of methotrexate treatment on serum immunoreactivity of a patient with normal-pressure glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
Increased serum immunoreactivity to retinal proteins may have a role in the disease process of some glaucoma patients. We describe a patient with normal-pressure glaucoma whose serum immunoreactivity to retinal proteins regressed after methotrexate treatment for rheumatoid disease.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
In a 66-year-old white female with normal-pressure glaucoma and rheumatoid disease, sequential Western blots using patient sera against retinal proteins demonstrated a decrease in the immunoreactive bands after treatment. During the treatment period of 3 years, her visual fields appeared to have improved. Optic disk examination during the short periods without treatment, however, disclosed new, bilateral splinter hemorrhages on the optic disks.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest a potential role for immune-based intervention in similar patients.
Fellman
R L
RL
Glaucoma Associates of Texas, Dallas, USA.
Tezel
G
G
Wax
M B
MB
D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001324:Autoantigens; D005136:Eye Proteins; D008727:Methotrexate