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Silent Cerebral Infarcts a Risk Factor for Visual Field Loss in Patients With Normal-Tension Glaucoma SAN FRANCISCO -- July 1, 2009 -- A study published in the July issue of Ophthalmology reports that silent cerebral infarcts (SCI) incidence may be a risk factor for visual field loss, as well as stroke, in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). Health conditions in patients with NTG differ from those in patients with the more common primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). An increased incidence of SCI is seen in brain scans of people with NTG and visual field loss is often more rapid in this patient group than in those with POAG. Dexter Y.L. Leung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, and colleagues recently investigated whether SCI might be directly related to rate of visual field loss in patients newly diagnosed with NTG. They found that visual field loss was 61% more likely in patients with NTG with SCI than in those without SCI. Computed tomography (CT) brain scans performed at the beginning of the study showed that of 286 patients with similar NTG disease factors, 64 had SCI and 222 did not. Patients’ visual field status was assessed every 4 months over 3 years. Though this study was in newly diagnosed NTG patients and results could vary in patients who have been in treatment, the results raise important points. “First, this study adds weight to the hypothesis that vascular factors are likely causes of NTG, along with intraocular pressure. Second, if additional studies confirm SCI as a risk factor for visual field loss, treatment to prevent SCI might slow disease progression in NTG patients. Third, brain scans of NTG patients to detect SCI might be deemed cost-effective. Since treating SCI is also known to prevent stroke, we may be talking about saving not only vision, but lives,” said Dr. Leung. SOURCE: Ophthalmology E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version