[New morphometric criteria in the study of pathogenesis of normal-tension glaucoma]

Studying the factors that contribute to the disturbance of transmembrane pressure gradient is a topical task in the research of pathogenesis of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

To measure and compare the thickness and depth of lamina cribrosa (LCT and LCD), as well as optic nerve subarachnoid space width (ONSASW) in patients with NTG and healthy individuals.

The first group included 12 patients (23 eyes) aged from 58 to 74 years (average age 66.8±3.2 years) with NTG who all had normal intraocular pressure and arterial hypotension. The second (control) group consisted of 11 healthy individuals (22 eyes) aged from 51 to 69 years (average age 56.2±4.2 years). All patients underwent structural and functional assessment of the optic nerve head using OCT RTVue-100 (Optovue, USA), as well as Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA II 745i, Germany-USA) and our modification of Frequency Doubling Technology perimetry. In all subjects the central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured by Pentacam HR (Oculus, Germany), the LCT and LCD were measured by EDI (Enhanced Depth Imaging) mode of Topcon 3D OCT 2000 (Japan). To measure the ONSASW we used a cross-sectional image of the optic nerve taken 3 mm behind the eyeball with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Siemens Magnetom Symphony 1.5 T, Germany).

Statistically significant difference was found between the 1^st and 2^nd groups in the average LCT (217.60±36.92 and 345.86±33.29 μm respectively; p=0.0000), LCD (435.00±86.31 and 367.31±87.00 μm, respectively; p=0.014) and ONSASW (1.27±0.13 and 1.44±0.19 mm respectively; p=0.004); the difference wasn't significant in the average CCT (543.26±31.52 and 557.50±24.92 μm respectively; p=0.11).

Patients with NTG had significantly higher value of the LCD with significantly lower values of the LCT and ONSASW compared with healthy individuals, which confirms the importance of these morphometric criteria in the study of NTG pathogenesis.