Dynamics of the association between visual and auditory functional changes in glaucoma. Preliminary results

Glaucoma is a multifactorial degenerative optic neuropathy characterized by the irreversible loss of retinal ganglion cells. Vascular, genetic, anatomical and immune factors are present in etiopathogenic mechanisms. Being the second cause of blindness worldwide after cataract, and with an irreversible character, glaucoma has turned into a disease with a significant impact on public health. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) may have central neurodegenerative changes, such as sensorineural hearing loss and static changes. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the connections between visual and auditory functional changes in glaucoma. The subjects were grouped as follows: patients with glaucoma compared with patients without glaucoma, while trying to identify the functional defect of the optic nerve (visual field) and a hearing testing (audiogram). Materials and methods: The prospective, cross-sectional study included 32 eyes of 16 subjects with POAG in a group of study and 24 eyes of 12 healthy subjects in the other group, with a mean age of both groups between 61,64 ± 6,53 years old. Both groups were examined from ophthalmological, audiological and radioimaging perspectives with Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for brain. All patients had ophthalmologic assessments according to a standardized protocol. Moreover, auditory functional parameters (audiometry) were recorded. Results: Female cases, over 65 years old, with residency in a city, predominated in the group of study. Compared to the control group, patients in the group of study had average levels of the PTA and modified visual field (VF) parameters. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the correlation of PTA was indirect, reduced in intensity, both with MD (r = -0.108; p = 0.585), Cal HOV (r = -0.268; p = 0.168) and the slope profile of the right eye. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that there was a correlation of the right PTA, which was indirect, reduced in intensity, both with MD (r = -0.108; p = 0.585), Cal HOV (r = -0.268; p = 0.168) and the slope profile of the right eye. The left ear PTA correlation was indirect, moderate in intensity, statistically significant with both MD (r = -0.584; p = 0.001) and slope profile (r = -0.377; p = 0.048) and reduced as intensity with Cal HOV (r = -0.147; p = 0.456) of the left eye. Conclusions: Patients with POAG showed changes in audiometry in connection with ophthalmological parameters, a fact suggesting that the auditory system might have been affected in POAG. This study highlighted the interdisciplinarity of the medical field with the aim of ensuring the quality of life of glaucoma patients. A good collaboration between the ophthalmologist and the otolaryngologist was very important for our patients. Abbreviations: RE = Right eye, LE = Left Eye, POAG = Primitive Open Angle Glaucoma, PTA = Pure-tone audiometry, VF = visual field, MRI = magnetic resonance imaging, IOP = Intraocular pressure, BVAC = best visual acuity corrected, MD = mean defect, CNS = central nervous system, SAP = standard automated perimetry, CCT = central corneal thickness, ONH = Optic nerve head, CDR = Cup/ Disc ratio, RNFL = Retinal fiber layers