Individuals with and without normal tension glaucoma exhibit comparable performance on tests of cognitive function.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a form of glaucoma where intraocular pressure is not elevated.
• Cognitive function and its potential impact in NTG patients require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate cognitive function, specifically executive function, learning, and memory, in individuals with and without normal tension glaucoma.
• To determine if NTG is associated with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction or dementia.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 50 NTG patients and 50 age-matched controls (≥50 years).
• Cognitive function assessed using the Executive Abilities: Measures and Instruments for Neurobehavioral Evaluation and Research (EXAMINER) battery and the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II).
• Demographic, clinical glaucoma, and general health data were collected and analyzed using multivariate linear regression.

Main Results:

• NTG patients and controls were comparable in age, sex, race, education, handedness, and general health (Charlson Comorbidity Index).
• No significant differences were observed in performance on the EXAMINER composite score or the CVLT-II between the NTG group and the control group.

Conclusions:

• This is the first prospective study to comprehensively assess cognitive function in NTG using a computerized neurocognitive battery.
• Subjects with NTG do not exhibit worse performance on tests of executive function, learning, or memory compared to controls.
• The findings do not support the hypothesis that individuals with NTG are at a higher risk for cognitive dysfunction or dementia.