Normal tension glaucoma and Alzheimer disease: comorbidity?
Daniella Bach-Holm1, Svend Vedel Kessing, Ulla Mogensen
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark. daniella@dadlnet.dk
Acta Ophthalmologica
|February 22, 2011
Summary
Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) does not increase the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer disease (AD). This study found no increased dementia risk in NTG patients compared to the general population.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a form of glaucoma where intraocular pressure is within the statistically normal range.
- Dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD) are significant public health concerns, particularly in aging populations.
- The potential link between ocular conditions and neurodegenerative diseases warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if patients diagnosed with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) have a higher risk of subsequently developing dementia or Alzheimer disease (AD).
- To compare the incidence of dementia/AD in an NTG cohort against the general population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 69 patients diagnosed with NTG between 1980 and 2001 was identified.
- Subsequent diagnoses of dementia were tracked using nationwide health registers from 1980 to 2005.
- The standardized mortality rate (SMR) for dementia in the NTG cohort was calculated and compared to expected rates.
Main Results:
- The median age of NTG patients at diagnosis was 64 years, with an average follow-up of 12.7 years.
- The standardized mortality rate (SMR) for dementia was 0.20 (95% CI 0.01-1.11), indicating a lower observed rate than expected.
- None of the patients in the study developed Alzheimer disease (AD).
Conclusions:
- Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is not associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.
- The findings suggest no elevated risk for Alzheimer disease (AD) in individuals with NTG.
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