[Clinical aspects of normal pressure glaucoma]

A comprehensive ophthalmologic examination of 45 patients (76 eyes) with normal pressure glaucoma (confirmed in hospital by using tonography, computer perimetry with the "Humphrey-720" field analyzer being applied and by photometry of the optic nerve disk with the "Nidec" fundus-chamber being applied) was carried out. Polymorphism of clinical manifestations of the disease and specific features of such manifestations with regard for an initial level of the ophthalmic tone were revealed. Elderly age, the condition of the anterior segment and hydrodynamic parameters close to the age norm, a pronounced saucer-shaped or asymmetric excavation and segment-type nature of visual field defects were found to be more typical for glaucomatous patients with a relatively low intraocular pressure--IOP (< or = 20 mm Hg according to Maklakov). Younger age, dystrophic changes in the iris and drainage zone similar to those occurring at typical primary open-angle glaucoma, low indices of secretion combined with low indices of intraocular fluid discharge, predominant symmetric excavation and diffuse reduction of light sensitivity along the periphery with a predominant damage of the nasal segments were found to be more typical for glaucomatous patients with relatively high IOP (< or = 26 mm Hg). The described clinical aspects enable a timely diagnosis of the disease and an adequate choice of treatment.