BackgroundAlthough intraocular pressure is an important risk factor in glaucoma, there is growing body evidence indicating an immunological component in the pathogenesis of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The aim of this study was to determine if NTG coexists with elevated levels of autoantibodies detected in rheumatic diseases.Material/MethodsWe enrolled 105 patients into the study: 35 with NTG, 34 with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and 36 controls. All patients underwent ophthalmic examination and blood tests. Blood was examined for the level of: antibodies against antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), and antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin antibodies, beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies, antiprothrombin antibodies).ResultsThe level of ANA was increased among 6 patients in the NTG group (17.1%), 8 in the POAG group (23.5%), and 6 in the control group (16.5%). The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.97). None of the patients in the NTG, POAG, or control group had positive antibodies to ENA. The level of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA in the 3 groups was similar and within normal values. The median level of rheumatoid factor and ACPA was the highest in the NTG group, but it was within normal laboratory values. There was a statistically significant difference between antiprothrombin antibodies IgG between the NTG and POAG group (p=0.01), but not between the NTG and control group (p=0.24).ConclusionsThe results of our study do not confirm the hypothesis that NTG coexists with elevated blood levels of antibodies, which are a characteristic feature of rheumatic diseases.

BackgroundAlthough elevated intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for the development of glaucoma, there is increasing evidence that the immune system may be involved in the development of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The aim of this study was to determine if NTG is associated with elevated levels of antibodies against human heat shock protein (HSP) 60.Material/MethodsThe study was conducted in 139 subjects (35 subjects with NTG [Group 1], 34 subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma/POAG/[Group 2], 24 subjects with autoimmune rheumatic diseases [Group 3], and 36 healthy controls [Group 4]). All subjects had complete ophthalmologic examination (visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy; visual-field examination, and optical coherence tomography/OCT/of the optic nerve head and the macula). Blood samples were collected for the measurements of serum levels of antibodies against human HSP60.ResultsThe subjects with rheumatic diseases had the highest median serum level of antibodies against HSP60 – 20.49 ng/mL. The values in the subjects with NTG, POAG, and in controls were 18.79 ng/mL, 18.61 ng/mL and 17.61 ng/mL, respectively (p=0.96).ConclusionsThis study does not confirm the hypothesis that normal-tension glaucoma is associated with elevated blood levels of antibodies against human heat shock protein (HSP) 60.

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Dopamina oraz agoniści receptorów dopaminergicznych D2 wykazują działanie hamujące aktywność czynnika wzrostu śródbłonka naczyniowego. Działanie to zostało udowodnione w wielu chorobach nowotworowych oraz w zespole hiperstymulacji jajników. Dotychczas przeprowadzone badania wskazują na potencjalne zastosowanie tych substancji również w leczeniu chorób oczu przebiegających ze zwiększonym uwalnianiem czynnika wzrostu śródbłonka naczyniowego, takich jak: wysiękowa postać zwyrodnienia plamki związanego z wiekiem, cukrzycowy obrzęk plamki lub proliferacyjna postać retinopatii cukrzycowej. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przegląd najnowszych danych literaturowych na temat potencjalnego zastosowania agonistów dopaminergicznych D2 w leczeniu chorób oczy zależnych od naczyniowo-śródbłonkowego czynnika wzrostu (VEGF).

In the perspective of 10–20 years, the ophthalmic care system in Poland will face numerous challenges, and the existing problems will increase. Due to the aging of the population, the incidence of refractive errors and chronic, age-related diseases such as presbyopia, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts will increase. Due to the change in lifestyle, the incidence of myopia is expected to increase among children and adolescents. The number of ophthalmologists and nurses will decrease and the average age of these professional groups will increase. The number of optometrists in Poland is low, and the legal aspects of practicing the profession of optometrists remain unregulated. Low social awareness contributes to late detection of eye diseases, which worsens the prognosis and increases the costs of treatment.