Brain pressure and glaucomatous and non‐glaucomatous parameters

Abstract

AbstractEyes with normal‐pressure glaucoma and eyes with high‐pressure glaucoma show a similar optic disc appearance with marked differences to eyes with vascular optic neuropathies. Non‐vascular, potentially barotraumatic, factors in addition to intraocular pressure (IOP) may thus play a role in glaucoma. Recent studies showed that (1) cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), arterial blood pressure and IOP are correlated with each other; (2) higher CSFP is associated with younger age, higher blood pressure and higher body mass index; (3) some patients with normal‐(ÍOP)‐pressure glaucoma have abnormally low CSFP, and thus an abnormally high trans‐lamina cribrosa pressure difference, and a small orbital CSF‐space; (4) the orbital CSF‐space width is associated with CSFP; and (5) the estimated CSFP as compared to IOP correlated better with open‐angle glaucoma‐related parameters. The orbital CSFP as counter‐pressure against IOP may play a role in pathogenesis of glaucoma.