AIM: To investigate the correlation between Alzheimer's disease(AD)and the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

METHODS: Prospective observational study. Totally 24 AD subjects and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. All of the subjects had a cup-to-disc ratio(CDR)less than 0.6 and asymmetry of less than 0.2 between right and left eyes. Retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness and macular ganglion cell complex(mGCC)thickness were obtained using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. The intraocular pressure(IOP)was also measured.

RESULTS: Mini-mental state examination(MMSE)scores were significantly higher in the AD group compared with controls(P<0.01). AD patients also showed lower IOP(12.7±2.8mmHg vs 14.36±3.3mmHg; P<0.05). However, these was no significant difference in RNFL thickness and mGCC thickness between the two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Patients with AD have lower IOP, which suggesting a protection mechanism of optic nerve damage in AD patients.