Cholinergic supersensitivity of the iris in primary open angle glaucoma. A clinical study.

Abstract

Twenty patients with untreated primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) were tested for the presence of cholinergic supersensitivity of the iris using a 0.1% solution of pilocarpine. Nineteen patients had a significant miotic response compared to six of a group of twenty control subjects. We believe that an ocular parasympathetic neuropathy may be an important factor in promoting or perpetuating elevated intra ocular pressure in POAG. The mechanism of this is suggested and several possible areas of further study discussed.