Psychological characteristics of patients with normal-tension glaucoma

Background: A study was carried out to evaluate the extent of psychosomatic complaints in patients with normal-tension glaucoma. Methods: Twenty-four patients (M:F=3:21; mean age 58+/-15.3 years) with normal-tension glaucoma were rated according to the von Zerssen Symptom List (psychosomatic discomf ort), the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI-N, emotional status and MPI-E , extroverted-introverted), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Si xteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF). An age and sex-matched contr ol group (n=24; M:F=3:21; mean age 56+/-13 years) without any ocular or oth er general chronic disease was selected. Results: In comparison with the co ntrol group the patients with normal-tension glaucoma showed significantly more complaints (von Zerssen Symptom List) and were more emotionally unstab le (MPI-N). No group differences were found regarding extroversion-introver sion (MPI-E) and depression (BDI). In the 16PF, patients with normal-tensio n glaucoma were remarkable, only for a significant negative correlation bet ween the duration of illness and psychic endurance. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that patients with normal-tension glauc oma show evident psychosomatic involvement. However, the sequence of the pa thogenetic development remains unclear. Therefore, it is not known whether these psychological disturbances are factors contributing to the developmen t of normal-tension glaucoma or whether they are a result of normal-tension glaucoma. Nevertheless, some patients with normal-tension glaucoma had the se disturbances. Besides reduction of intraocular pressure and improvement of vascular condition, those who display psychological disturbances should receive psychological support, such as autogenic training.