[Intraocular pressure asymmetry and related factors in pseudoexfoliative syndrome].

PURPOSE

To determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) asymmetry in pseudoexfoliative (PSX) syndrome and glaucoma patients. To analyze the association between IOP asymmetry and clinical signs.

METHODS

191 patients were prospectively studied, 75 (39.3%) with PSX syndrome and 116 (60.7%) with PSX glaucoma. IOP, visual field test, pigment and PSX material deposit in anterior segment structures were observed and compared between both eyes. The relation between IOP and clinical sign asymmetry was analyzed.

RESULTS

IOP asymmetry was less than 10 mm Hg in 138 cases (72.25%) and more than 10 mm Hg in 53 (27.75%) cases. The greatest asymmetry was found in unilateral PSX glaucoma patients (p= 0.001). Visual field test asymmetry was related with IOP asymmetry (p=0.0001). Also, IOP asymmetry was associated with pigment deposit in trabecular meshwork, in Sampaolesi line, and with pupillary atrophy asymmetry (p<0.05). PSX material deposit was not related with IOP asymmetry.

CONCLUSIONS

IOP asymmetry is greater in unilateral PSX glaucoma patients. The association between IOP and visual field test asymmetry found in this study suggests that PSX glaucoma is pressure dependent. IOP seems to be related with pigment deposit in anterior segment structures in PSX patients. However, this association was not found with PSX material deposit.