Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Glaucoma progression associated with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy

  • Case Report
  • Published:
International Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe a case of open-angle glaucoma progression associated with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy. Single case analysis method is used. A 53-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of glaucoma presented with progressive visual field loss. Complete ophthalmological examination and blood tests were negative for other concomitant diseases. Genetic counseling revealed mitochondrial DNA mutation compatible with the diagnosis of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy. In conclusion, the case describes the concomitant occurrence of open-angle glaucoma and Leber’s optic neuropathy. We hypothesize that the two diseases may have a cumulative effect on oxidative stress and retinal ganglion cell death with the consequent rapid progression of visual impairment. Screening for mitochondrial DNA mutations may be requested in patients with glaucoma who, despite pharmacologically controlled intraocular pressure, show rapid progression of the disease.

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

Fig. 1

References

  1. Cedrone C, Mancino R, Cerulli A, Cesareo M, Nucci C (2008) Epidemiology of primary glaucoma: prevalence, incidence, and blinding effects. Prog Brain Res 173:3–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Man PYW, Turnbull DM, Chinnery PF (2002) Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. J Med Genet 39:162–169

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Russo R, Cavaliere F, Rombolà L, Gliozzi M, Cerulli A, Nucci C, Fazzi E, Bagetta G, Corasaniti MT, Morrone LA (2008) Rational basis for the development of coenzyme Q10 as a neurotherapeutic agent for retinal protection. Prog Brain Res 173:575–582

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Mashima Y, Kimura I, Yamamoto Y, Ohde H, Ohtake Y, Tanino T, Tomita G, Oguchi Y (2003) Optic disc excavation in the atrophic stage of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy: comparison with normal tension glaucoma. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 241(2):75–80

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Alward WL, Johnson AT, Nishimura DY, Sheffeld VC, Stone EM (1996) Molecular genetics of glaucoma: current status. J Glaucoma 5:276–284

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Vergani L, Martinuzzi A, Carelli V, Cortelli P, Montagna P, Schievano G, Carrozzo R, Angelini C, Lugaresi E (1995) mtDNA mutations associated with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy: studies on cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 210:880–888

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Wong A, Cavelier L, Collins-Schramm HE, Seldin MF, McGrogan M, Savontaus ML, Cortopassi GA (2002) Differentiation-specific effects of LHON mutations introduced into neuronal NT2 cells. Hum Mol Genet 11:431–438

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

None of the authors has conflict of interest with the submission.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carlo Nucci.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nucci, C., Martucci, A., Mancino, R. et al. Glaucoma progression associated with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy. Int Ophthalmol 33, 75–77 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-012-9623-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-012-9623-4

Keywords

Navigation