Normal-Tension Glaucoma closely associated with cognitive deficits: BMJ

The results of a recent study, which were published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, show a link between normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) status and impaired cognition, supporting the idea that NTG and dementia share patho-etiological characteristics and a disease relationship.

A diverse set of ocular neuropathies known as glaucoma include abnormal optic disc cupping, retinal ganglion cell death, and distinct patterns of permanent vision field loss. The only risk factor for glaucoma that may be modified is increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Recent studies reveal a link between dementia-causing conditions like Alzheimer's Disease and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) (AD). A form of POAG known as NTG is characterized by glaucomatous retinal degeneration without obvious ocular pressure. Sean Mullany and colleagues used cognitive screening within an Australiasian Glaucoma Disease Registry to examine if cognitive impairment is more strongly connected with NTG than high tension glaucoma (HTG).

In this study, 290 NTG patients and HTG controls aged 65 or older were randomly selected from the Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma to participate in a case-control cross-sectional cognitive test. The telephone version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used for cognitive screening (T-MoCA). In order to account for confounding issues linked to vision loss in individuals who are blind or visually impaired, the T-MoCA leaves out items that need visual interpretation. A T-MoCA score of 11/22 was used to define cognitive impairment. Using absolute screening scores and specified criteria, cognitive abilities were compared between NTG and HTG subjects.