Ocular perfusion pressure and anticardiolipin antibodies in glaucomatous Egyptian patients

Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of antiphospholipid antibodies and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in an Egyptian population. Patients and methods A total of 44 patients were enrolled in the study: 22 with POAG and 22 controls. All patients underwent blood pressure measurement, ophthalmic examination, and blood tests. OPP was defined as 2/3΄[diastolic BP+1/3΄(systolic BP-diastolic BP)]-IOP. Blood was examined for the level of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding age, sex, immunoglobulin G aCL antibodies, or immunoglobulin M aCL antibodies. OPP was statistically lower in patients with POAG compared with control. Conclusion The results of the present study do not confirm the hypothesis that POAG coexists with elevated blood levels of aCL antibodies. High OPP offers relative protection from glaucoma development.