IMAJ | volume 12
Journal 5, May 2010
pages: 287-289
Summary
Background:
Normal-tension glaucoma is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy of unknown etiology.
Neuroimaging workup in these patients is controversial.
Objectives:
To determine the value of routine neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic evaluations in patients with NTG[1].
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with NTG in our institution between 2001 and 2006. Neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic data were evaluated.
Results:
Sixty-eight patients were considered suitable for the study (35 males, 33 females age range 43–90 years). Neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic findings were normal in all of them. The computed tomography brain scan was normal in 88% and duplex carotid Doppler scan was normal in 92%.
Conclusions:
Pathologic findings in neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic assessments were uncommon in NTG. Therefore, contrary to earlier suggestions, neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic evaluations in typical normal-tension glaucoma patients appear to have no added value.
[1] NTG = normal-tension glaucoma