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Effects of methotrexate treatment on serum immunoreactivity of a patient with normal-pressure glaucoma
R L Fellman1, G Tezel, M B Wax
1Glaucoma Associates of Texas, Dallas, USA.
Purpose:
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.
Method:
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.
Conclusion:
These observations suggest a potential role for immune-based intervention in similar patients.