Eradication of Helicobacter pylori may be beneficial in the management of chronic open-angle glaucoma.
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.
Kountouras
Jannis
J
8 Fanariou St, Byzantio, Thessaloniki 551 33, Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. jannis@med.auth.gr
Mylopoulos
Nikolaos
N
Chatzopoulos
Dimitrios
D
Zavos
Christos
C
Boura
Panagiota
P
Konstas
Anastasios G P
AG
Venizelos
John
J
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