[Hormonal changes in open-angle glaucoma. I. Levels of immunoreactive insulin in serum]

This paper deals with the relation of disorders of carbohydrate metabolism to etiopathogenesis of glaucoma. 102 patients with primary glaucoma of an open angle were examined and it was discovered that 80 patients from this group (78%) had an abnormal immuno-reactive insulin curve, in particular of the hypersecretory type. Standard gauge test for abnormal glucose level was administered with 31 glaucomatous patients (30%). From this point of view screening for immuno-reactive insulin is a more sensitive and reliable method than the glucose standard gauge test. It is recommended that testing for immuno-reactive insulin should be introduced for all glaucomatous patients because this can help both in the detection of early stages of diabetes and in the administration of primary prevention of atherosclerosis among the population.