Interocular visual-field and intraocular-pressure asymmetries in normal-tension-glaucoma

To evaluate the role of intraocular-pressure (IOP) in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous damage in normal-tension-glaucoma, we investigated whether the eye with the higher IOP had more severe visual-field damage in 23 normal-tension-glaucoma patients. Twelve patients did have more severe visual-field defects in the eye with the higher IOP, but 11 had more severe defects in the eye with the lower IOP. There was no correlation either between IOP and visual-field damage (r = 0.16; p = NS) or between the interocular differences in IOP and in visual-field damage (r = 0.21; p = NS). Thus, although intraocular pressure may contribute to glaucomatous damage even in normal-tension-glaucoma patients, other factors must be involved as well.