Clinical and immunological parallels in the diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma

The purpose of study is an assessment of the informative value of various diagnostic parameters in monitoring and prognosis of the state of the visual organ in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Material and methods. 216 patients (216 eyes) were examined. 126 patients (126 eyes) with the diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma I, II or III stage were included in the main group (I), and 90 patients (90 eyes) without ophthalmologic pathology were included in the control group (II). All patients underwent complex examination. Laser confocal scanning tomography for the analysis of the optic disc morphology was performed using a Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II from Heidelberg Engineering (Germany). Evaluation of the field of view was carried out using the computer static perimeter Oculus twinfield-2 (Germany). Electrophysiological studies (apparatus Roland Consult, Germany) included: the study of visual cortical potentials on the outbreak, the pattern-electroretinogram, photopic negative response. Neurotrophic brain factor, ciliary neurotrophic growth factor and protein NF-200, S-100 protein, monocyte chemoattractant, vascular endothelial growth factor were determined in the serum. Results. An increase in the concentration of the S-100 protein with progression of POAG testifies to the existence of parallels between apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells and systemic neurodegenera-tion affecting the central nervous system as a whole. The importance of electrophysiological research methods, which give information about the third neuron of the visual pathway, has been confirmed. Pattern-electroretinogram, photopic negative response most reflect abnormalities in the work of ganglion cells of the retina, including before the appearance of structural changes in the optic disc and the retina. Conclusion. The interrelation of dynamics of functional, morphological and immunological criteria of progression of POAG is revealed, which allows to predict the further course of the pathological process. Since the study involved patients with IOP target values, it is important not only to maintain IOP on target values, but also to carry out neuroprotection.