ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Only a few studies have analyzed the potential link between glaucoma and cognitive function impairment. They have found controversial results. This study aims to perform quick cognitive function assessment with clock drawing test (CDT) using two different scoring systems and compare between normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and cataract patients. METHODS: Totally, 30 NTG and 30 patients with cataracts were included in a prospective, pilot study. The predrawn circle was given, and patients were asked to draw the clock showing a time of 11:10. The test was evaluated using two methods - Freund method using a 7-point scoring scale (optimal cutoff ≤4) and Rakusa using a 4-point scoring scale (optimal cutoff ≤3). The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: CDT result was significantly better in cataract group than in NTG group: 3.5 (2) versus 2 (2) by Freund, (P = 0.003) and 6.5 (1) versus 4.5 (2.75) by Rakusa, respectively (P = 0.004). Sixty percent (n = 18) of NTG group and 10% (n = 3) of cataract group patients completed the CDT in the specific picture manner (the short hand on 11 and the long hand between 11 and 12), (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lower CDT results were seen in NTG patients according to two different scoring systems. NTG patients showed a specific manner of drawing. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the CDT reliability as fast screening test of cognitive function impairment in glaucoma patients.
Subject(s)
Cognition/physiology , Intraocular Pressure , Low Tension Glaucoma/physiopathology , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Pilot Projects , Prospective Studies , ROC Curve , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To assess the differences in the neuroretinal rim area (NRA) and ocular haemodynamic parameters in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) with differing intracranial pressure (ICP) values. METHODS: 40 patients (11 males) with NTG (age 61.1 (11.5)) were included in the prospective study. Intraocular pressure (IOP), non-invasive ICP, retrobulbar blood flow (RBF) and confocal laser scanning tomography for optic nerve disc (OND) structural parameters were assessed. Non-invasive ICP was measured using a novel two-depth Transcranial Doppler device. RBF was measured using colour Doppler imaging in the ophthalmic artery (OA). The patients were divided into two groups, ICP ≥ and <8.3â mmâ Hg, based on the statistical median of ICP. p Values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Patients with NTG had mean ICP 8.8 (2.5) mmâ Hg, IOP 13.6 (2.1) mmâ Hg, OND size 2.3 (0.6) mm(2), NRA 1.2 (0.4) mm(2). Lower ICP was correlated with decreased NRA (r=0.51, p=0.001). Patients with NTG having lower ICP (N=20) had significantly lower NRA 1.0 (0.3) mm(2), than patients with NTG having higher ICP (N=20) 1.3 (0.3) mm(2), p=0.002, although there were no significant differences in OND size (accordingly, 2.2 (0.5) and 2.3 (0.6) mm(2), p=0.55) and IOP (accordingly, 13.5 (2.4) and 13.7 (1.8) mmâ Hg, p=0.58). Patients with NTG having lower ICP had significantly lower OA blood flow velocities (peak systolic volume (PSV) 28.7 (8.0), end-diastolic volume (EDV) 6.9 (3.0) cm/s), compared with patients with NTG having higher ICP (PSV 35.5 (10.2), EDV 9.4 (4.1) cm/s), p<0.04. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NTG having lower ICP have decreased neuroretinal rim area and OA blood flow parameters compared with patients having higher ICP. Further longitudinal studies are needed to analyse the involvement of ICP in NTG management.
