Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the effect of angiotensin–converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor on visual field changes in normal–tension glaucoma (NTG).
Methods: :
We retrospectively reviewed a total of 38 patients with NTG. NTG patients with hypertension were divided into two groups, those receiving ACE inhibitor (n = 12) and those receiving other antihypertensive drug (n = 13). Control subjects (n = 13) had no previous history of hypertension. HfaFiles 5, an analytical program for the Humphrey Field Analyzer, with which we can perform a linear regression analysis of mean deviation (MD) of visual fields obtained during the follow–up period, was used to calculate the slope of the MD change per year.
Results: :
In the ACE inhibitor–treated group, the mean MD change per year was 0.48±0.19 dB, while it was –0.38±0.23 dB in control subjects and –0.50±0.39 dB in the other antihypertensive drug–treated group (ACE inhibitor–treated group vs. control subjects, P =0.04; ACE inhibitor–treated group vs. other antihypertensive drug–treated group, P =0.02).
Conclusions: :
ACE inhibitor seems to have a favorable effect on the visual field in patients with NTG. However, a randomized controlled study is needed to prove the effect of ACE inhibitors in eyes with NTG.
Keywords: neuroprotection • visual fields • pharmacology