Journal d'ophtalmologie clinique et expérimentale
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Lateral Geniculate Nucleus in Hypertensive and Normotensive Glaucoma

Martin Kyncl

Objective: To find whether changes in lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) can be determined in vivo in hypertensive and normotensive glaucoma, and whether these changes correlate with the advancement of glaucoma disease.
Methods and subjects: The authors examined two groups of patients, 9 patients with hypertensive glaucoma (HTG) and 9 patients with different stages of normotensive glaucoma (NTG). The diagnosis was based on a comprehensive ophthalmological examination. The results of both groups were compared with a group of 9 healthy subjects. A comprehensive ophthalmological examination was supplemented by examination of the visual field by means of a fast threshold program. The sum of sensitivity in the field of vision of homolateral halves (range 0 to 22 degrees) was compared with the size of contralateral corpus geniculatum laterale.
Data collected from patients were compared with a group of nine healthy controls.
We carried out MRI tests at 3-Tesla MRI scanner (Philips Achieva TX series release 3.2.1.1) using eight-channel sense head coil.
Results: The measured values were subjected to statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon test and Spearman´s rank correlation coefficient.
The authors proved reduction of LGN in both HTG and NTG (p=0.0000). The LGN reduction dependence on the stage of changes in visual fields was not statistically significant, in HTG for the right half of visual fields (RH VF) and the left LGN r=0.3255, p=0.3926, and for the left half of visual fields (LHVF) and the right LGN r=0.0033, p=0.9934. Similarly, in NTG, statistically significant correlation between RH VF and L LGN (r=0.0496, p=0.1745) and between LHVF and R LGN (r=0.5399, p=0.1335) was not found either. The authors demonstrated median duration dependence in hypertensive glaucoma treatment to the reduction of the LGN. R=-0.4908, p=0.179 for the right LGN and r=-0.7743, p=0.0143 for the left LGN.
Conclusion: The reduction of LGN volume was proved both in patients with HTG and those with NTG.