Skip to main content
Log in

Anterior segment autonomic dysfunction in ocular hypertension

  • Published:
Documenta Ophthalmologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Autonomic nerve function in the anterior segment of the eye was assessed by measurement of the pupil cycle time in 189 patients with ocular hypertension and 70 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Parasympathetic dysfunction was significantly present in ocular hypertensive patients with narrow irido-corneal angles, though not in wide-angle subjects. The results are discussed, with particular reference to the accumulating evidence implicating autonomic dysfunction as a significant factor in the pathogenesis of the primary glaucomas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kolker A E and Hetherington J (1983) Becker-Shaffer's Diagnosis and therapy of the glaucomas, 5th ed. St Louis, Mosby, pp 402, 373

    Google Scholar 

  2. Mapstone R and Clark C V (1985) The prevalence of autonomic neropathy in glaucoma. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 104:265–269

    Google Scholar 

  3. Clark C V and Mapstone R (1985) Autonomic neuropathy in ocular hypertension. Lancet 2:185–187

    Google Scholar 

  4. Martyn C N (1985) Edge-light pupil cycle time: quantifiable autonomic reflex. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat 48:602 (abstr)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Anonymous (1985) The autonomic nervous system and the eye. Lancet 2:591–592

    Google Scholar 

  6. Miller S D and Thompson H S (1978) Edge-light pupil cycle time. Br J Ophthalmol 62:495–500

    Google Scholar 

  7. Miller S D and Thompson H S (1979) The pupil cycle time In: Thompson HS (ed): Topics in neuro-ophthalmology. Baltimore, Williams and Wilkins pp 159–163

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hollows F C and Graham P A (1966) Intra-ocular pressure, glaucoma, and glaucoma suspects in a defined population, Br J Ophthalmol 50:570–586

    Google Scholar 

  9. Shaffer R N (1960) Gonioscopy, ophthalmoscopy, and perimetry Trans Am Acad Opthalmol Otolaryngol 64:112–127

    Google Scholar 

  10. Dunnet C W (1964) New tables for multiple comparisons with a control. Biometrics 20:482–491

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kaback M B, Burde R M and Becker B (1976) Relative afferent pupillary defect in glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol 81:462–465

    Google Scholar 

  12. Martyn C N and Ewing D J (1986) Pupil cycle time: a simple way of measuring an autonomic reflex. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat (in press)

  13. Mapstone R (1981) Autonomic effects on aqueous outflow. Res Clin Forums 3:35–39

    Google Scholar 

  14. Mapstone R (1979) Mechanisms in ocular hypertension. Br J Ophthalmol 63:325–330

    Google Scholar 

  15. Clark C V and Mapstone R (1985) Variation in anterior chamber volume during the pilocarpine-phenylephrine provocative test. Doc Ophthalmol 43:295–300

    Google Scholar 

  16. Coakes R L, Lloyd-Jones D and Hitchings R A (1979) Anterior chamber volume, Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 99:78–81

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mapstone R (1968) Mechanics of pupil block. Br J Ophthalmol 52:19–25

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Clark, C.V., Mapstone, R. Anterior segment autonomic dysfunction in ocular hypertension. Doc Ophthalmol 64, 201–207 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00159994

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00159994

Key words

Navigation