A longitudinal observation of a patient with normal tension glaucoma

Hlupheka L Sithole

doi:10.4102/aveh.v76i1.408

Abstract

Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a disease associated with normal intraocular pressure (10 mmHg – 21 mmHg) that may lead to irreversible blindness if misdiagnosed or left untreated over a period of time. The author observed a patient with NTG over a period of 5 years (from 2013 to 2017). The initial visual field analysis results (2014) showed mild visual field defects because of NTG at the start of the 5-year period. Although the patient was also diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition associated with optic nerve head damage, following years of noncompliance to treatment of NTG and follow-up eye examination schedules, the patient’s visual field defects were found to have progressed by the year 2017. It is therefore important for optometrists to apply due diligence when examining patients with NTG in order to expedite intervention and prevention of visual impairment and blindness.

Highlights

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness affecting more than 60 million people worldwide.[1]
These studies showed that normal tension glaucoma (NTG) occurs in roughly 30% – 40% of all patients diagnosed with glaucomatous visual field http://www.avehjournal.org
In the advent of ocular diagnostics and therapeutic modules currently being undertaken by optometrists in South Africa, understating the nature of Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is important

Summary

Introduction

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness affecting more than 60 million people worldwide.[1]. Glaucoma was a disease only associated with increased IOP that if left untreated could lead to blindness.[17] Contrary to this belief, population-based studies[18,19,20] have revealed that some of the patients diagnosed with glaucoma had IOPs that were within the normal range. On average, these studies showed that normal tension glaucoma (NTG) occurs in roughly 30% – 40% of all patients diagnosed with glaucomatous visual field http://www.avehjournal.org. The patient was started on Alphagan 0.15% (Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution), one drop twice a day indefinitely

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion