title: Eradication of Helicobacter pylori may be beneficial in the management of chronic open-angle glaucoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have documented a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with glaucoma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of H pylori eradication on the 2 most commonly used glaucoma parameters: intraocular pressure and visual field.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 41 patients with glaucoma and 30 age-matched anemic controls underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopies and gastric mucosal biopsies to detect the presence of H. pylori infection by histologic analysis and rapid urease test (CLOtest; Delta West, Draper, Utah). Saliva samples were also tested by CLOtest. Serum anti-H pylori-specific IgG was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Helicobacter pylori-positive patients received a triple eradication regimen (omeprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin treatment), and all patients were observed for 2 years while remaining under the same antiglaucoma therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Helicobacter pylori was detected in 88% of glaucoma cases and in 47% of controls (P<.001). Helicobacter pylori eradication was successful in 83% of treated patients. At the 2-year clinical end point, glaucoma parameters (mean intraocular pressure and mean visual field parameters) were improved in the subgroup of patients where H. pylori eradication was successful (P<.001 for intraocular pressure; P< or =.01 for visual field parameters), but not in the other patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Helicobacter pylori eradication may positively influence glaucoma parameters, suggesting a possible causal link between H pylori and glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: 8 Fanariou St, Byzantio, Thessaloniki 551 33, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. jannis@med.auth.gr
authors.forename: Jannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kountouras
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mylopoulos
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chatzopoulos
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zavos
authors.forename: Panagiota
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boura
authors.forename: Anastasios G P
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Konstas
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Venizelos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014794:Visual Fields