Glaucoma Linked to Low Pressure in Brain?

Did you know? A study published in the May 2008 journal Ophthalmology found a fascinating link, which, if verified, could alter how we think of glaucoma. The Mayo Clinic studied the records of all patients who had lumbar punctures (spinal taps) between 1996 and 2007. They identified 28 of these patients as having glaucoma, and compared them to 49 patients who did not.

During a lumbar puncture, the pressure within the spinal column (which connects to the brain) is measured. The spinal pressure in the glaucoma patients averaged 9 mm Hg, and the controls measured 13 mm Hg. Since the average eye pressure is between 10 and 21, (often higher in glaucoma) that means that the pressure gradient between the eye and the brain could be higher in the glaucoma patients. This would damage the optic nerve, which is seen in glaucoma.

Did you also know? The only accepted treatment we have now for glaucoma involves lowering eye pressure, with eyedrops, laser, or surgery.