Absence of lymphocyte glucocorticoid hypersensitivity in primary open angle glaucoma

The glucocorticosteroid sensitivity of patients with primary open angle glaucoma and normal patients was determined by the quantity of dexamethasone required to reduce concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte blast transformation to 50% of control values (I50). This was performed under culturing conditions employing both serum-free medium and medium supplemented with 10% autologous serum. A comparison of the I50 between normal subjects and those with primary open angle glaucoma did not show a significant difference in steroid sensitivity under either of the two culturing conditions. It is concluded that persons with primary open angle glaucoma do not have a generalized inherited or acquired cellular hypersensitivity to glucocorticoids.