Normal Tension Glaucoma In Patients With Atopic Dermatitis (Keratoconjunctivitis)

 The purpose of this study is to determine Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) and its clinical presentation in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC).

Twenty-seven eyes of 14 AKC (AD) patients with NTG were retrospectively evaluatedevaluated from the Department of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, and the Keio Allergy Center, Keio University School of Medicine.

This is a hospital-based retrospective study of NTG patients in AKC diagnoses between January 2020 and Marc 2021. Clinical characteristics of subjects were studied from clinical records. To evaluate the factors including visual acuity (refraction), intraocular pressure, slit lamp examination, corneal thickness, OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), mean deviations (MD) of visual field, and also their history such as steroid treatments.

Fifteen patients from 32 to 67 years were included in this study. They were as mean age of 51.00±9.56 and treated Atopic dermatitis (AD) from around 10 years old. Mean visual acuity is -0.28±0.62 (OD), and -0.43±0.59 (OS). The mean intra ocular pressure is 12.17 ±3.51 mmHg, RNFL by OCT is 62.80±21.02, and mean deviation (MD) of visual field is 9.15±5.95 (both eyes). All cases observed fibrosis under conjunctiva and 2 patients has history of herpes keratitis, 4 has keratoconus, and 4 cataract or post cataract operation. Present-day treatment of AKC and AD have been based on local use of tacrolimus and anti-allergic eye drop, and/or low dose steroid. Glaucoma treatments were based on the β-blockers and/or PGF 2α for more than 10 years.

NTG were observed in patients with AKC. Long treated AD and/or AKC patients should be performed glaucoma examinations.