The Correlation between Cognitive Function and Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score between glaucoma group and normal control group and to evaluate the correlation between MMSE score and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) values in both groups. METHODS: This prospective study includes thirty glaucoma patients (eleven primary open angle glaucoma and nineteen normal tension glaucoma) and thirty normal controls. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and Ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness were measured with SD-OCT, and the average values of both eyes were used. The cognitive function was evaluated with MMSE by a single examiner. RESULTS: The mean MMSE scores of glaucoma group and normal group were 26.07 ± 2.95, and 27.00 ± 1.68 respectively (p = 0.137). MMSE score of less than 24 only showed in glaucoma group. MMSE score and RNFL thickness showed statistically no signifance in correlation (R² = 0.236; p = 0.070), however, MMSE score and GC-IPL showed statistically significant correlation (R² = 0.256; p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Glaucoma patients tend to show low cognitive function even though the correlation between glaucoma patient and low cognitive function was not statistically significant. Therefore, the aspect of cognitive depression should be concerned, when facing glaucoma patients.