Neuroretinal rim area in low tension glaucoma: effect of nifedipine and acetazolamide compared to no treatment.

The purpose of this study was to measure the change of neuroretinal rim area in patients with low tension glaucoma on- and off-treatment. Thirty-two patients were followed up for a mean of 2.6 years. Ten patients received treatment with nifedipine, 11 patients with acetazolamide and 11 patients had no treatment. The total change of rim area and the yearly rate of rim area change did not differ statistically significantly between the three groups. Seven patients in each group suffered from cold hands and feet. The response to cold provocation visual field testing was positive in 25% of patients. Neither the history of cold hands and feet nor the cold provocation test result affected the rate of progression of optic disc abnormalities. Nifedipine and acetazolamide treatment seemed to show no advantage over no-treatment in our patients.