Normal Tension Glaucoma

Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a subvariant of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or a separate entity. NTG is defined as chronic open angle glaucoma without elevated intraocular pressure or normal intraocular pressure. Normal intraocular pressure is between 10 and 21 mm Hg and is defined as two times the standard deviation of the mean intraocular pressure in the normal population. In addition to the absence of elevated intraocular pressure, all the classic symptoms of glaucoma are otherwise present. These include a conspicuous glaucomatous optic disc excavation, nerve fibre bundle defects, and corresponding visual field defects. Papillary rim haemorrhages are frequently found. The visual field defects in NDG are usually more central compared to POAG and are therefore described as more disturbing by the patient. The anterior chamber angle is open and there are no other changes suggestive of secondary glaucoma (pigment dispersion, pseudo-exfoliation). The exact pathophysiology of NDG is not well understood. Pathophysiologically, circulatory disturbances in the sense of arterial hypo- as well as hypertension may play an essential role or at least increase the susceptibility of the optic nerve to intraocular pressure fluctuations as well as blood pressure dips. Therefore, this requires not only a purely ophthalmologic but also interdisciplinary treatment of the patient with confirmed NDG. The primary goal of treatment is the reduction of intraocular pressure, which can stop the disease. This article gives an overview of epidemiology, aetiology, clinical findings and therapies.